Monessen American Legion burns more than 1,000 flags in retirement ceremony it hopes to keep going strong

Old Glory went up in flames hundreds of times over Wednesday during a flag retirement ceremony in Monessen.

It’s an annual tradition for members of the American Legion post there, an autumn rite during which the group honors flags that are worn or in poor condition before tossing them in a burning pit.

“Every year, there are flags to be retired, so we do the proper ceremony,” post Commander Ron Chromulak said.

On Wednesday, they retired more than 1,000 American flags by burning them, followed by a few Pennsylvania state flags and one Israeli flag. Participants grabbed handfuls from a pile of red, white and blue and walked over to the hole to drop them in.

The hole was filled and ashes buried after the flames subsided.

American flags ready for retirement should be destroyed in a dignified way, according to the United States Flag Code. The preferred method for disposal is burning.

“The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing,” the code states.

Veterans groups around the country hold flag retirement ceremonies that can include salutes, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance or a moment of silence, among other methods of imparting reverence.

The national American Legion in 1937 passed a resolution outlining what a retirement ceremony should entail.

Monessen American Legion members followed that outline closely on Wednesday. Ninth grader Noelle Spagnolo sang the national anthem and a prayer followed.

Many of the flags retired came from Monessen’s five cemeteries where they marked veterans graves throughout the year, Chromulak said. Others were dropped off in the organization’s bin outside the Monessen Public Library.

Members hold on to any flags donated for retirement that are still in good shape, said Chromulak, who spent 21 years in the Air Force and then worked for the state’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The flames started small while daylight waned Wednesday, but then grew steadily as more Stars and Stripes were piled in the hole. Some flags were large and edged with gold fringe while others were small and attached to a stick. Many appeared faded, dirty and tattered.

“We have to keep this going; it’s just a tribute,” said post Vice Commander Gary Mendola, an Army veteran. “We’re trying to get the young people involved so they can carry this on.”