ANNUAL FLAG DISPOSAL SET TUESDAY

Members of Cape Girardeau American Legion Post 63 will conduct the annual American Flag Retirement and Disposal Ceremony on Flag Day Tuesday.

Charles E. Woodford, chairman of the Flag Disposal Committee, said the ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Veterans Home at North Kingshighway and Interstate 55.

Woodford said, "The ceremony is open to the public and we invite everyone to attend and participate."

Assisting the American Legion in the ceremony will be members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 220 and the Cape Girardeau Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol.

Woodford said many people are not aware that burning is a proper way of disposing of American flags no longer serviceable.

"We have all seen protest demonstrators tear down and burn our American flag in this country and abroad," he said. "But we do not burn the flag in a mocking or disrespectful manner; it is done with the honor and dignity befitting the banner of the United States of America."

Woodford said many do not know how to properly dispose of unserviceable American Flags.

"We urge individuals, businesses and other organizations who may have a flag that is tattered, torn, stained, dirty, or otherwise no longer serviceable to let us dispose of the flags in an honorable and dignified ceremony," he said.

Woodford said worn out flags may be dropped off this week and Monday at the customer service desk at Schnuck's Food Store on South Kingshighway or at reception desk at the Missouri Veterans Home.

"If you cannot drop off your flag at either location, call the American Legion at 335-0305 and someone will come by to pick up the flag," Woodford said.