Inaugural flag retirement ceremony 2018

From left, Kayden Barry, 11, and Gwenyth Speight, 11, keep busy before the start of the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jerry Hampton prepares worn-down American flags for the retirement ceremony before the start of the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jerry Hampton points to someone in the crowd during the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Commander Bonnie Hampton welcomes community members to the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Nick Steams, of Boy Scout Troop 5, salutes while holding an American flag as the National Anthem is sung during the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Rev. Roger Cary opens the inaugural flag retirement ceremony with prayer at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Venture Crew 4005 members Dom Unterreiner, left, and Jacob Homer, right, participate in the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Gabriel Lewis holds an American flag to be retired during the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jacob Homer, of Venture Crew 4005, places a flag on the fire during the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Representatives from the Civil Air Patrol, Girl Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America Venturing Crew and the Air Force JROTC salute after placing American flags on the fire during the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

American flags burn during the inaugural flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 3838 Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)