VFW holds flag retirement ceremony on Memorial Day

Lucas Marquez and Samuel Marquez salute the flag placed in honor of their grandfather at the Devine VFW’s Memorial Day Ceremony and Flag Retirement Ceremony. Also pictured is Commander Jessee Rodriguez of Devine VFW. Photo by Catherine Richard.

By Nancy Saathoff and Catherine Richard
On Monday morning, May 26, Devine VFW Post 3966 held a Memorial Day ceremony to honor soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for America.
Roughly 80 people quietly watched the Flag Retirement Ceremony, where veterans solemnly placed pieces of damaged flags into a fire, the anthem of their respective military branches playing behind them. After placing the pieces in the fire, they stood back and saluted the flag, showing respect for both America and the soldiers who gave their lives to preserve it.
The damaged flags were donated by the members of the community for this yearly event.
During the flag retirement, the symbolism of the flag was read by VFW Junior Vice Commander Gary Saathoff.
“The seven red stripes and six white stripes together represent the original 13 colonies that gained us liberty. The white represents purity…

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Pastor Michael Petit opens the ceremony with prayer.