MIDLAND, Texas — When an American Flag is left on the flagpole long enough, eventually it's going to get worn out or ripped up.
So, after it is replaced, what does someone do with the old one?
Well, it's a tradition to have a flag retirement ceremony to dispose of it with respect.
VFW Post 4149 in Midland held one of these ceremonies Saturday for a bunch of old flags given to them by the community.
For them, retiring an American Flag is not like throwing out an old ripped up t-shirt, it’s something that’s taken seriously and done with respect.
“This is a tradition that's gone on since 1937, where we retire officially retire colors," said Garrett Spooner, commander of the post. "Well, it's important because it's the whole tradition and meaning behind the colors because so many people that came before us fought for these colors and a way of us honoring that is by doing the ceremony that we do.”
At the end of the ceremony the flags are burned and once they’ve turned to ash those ashes are then buried.
Spooner understands the kinds of sacrifices the men and women of the past have made for the flag, which is why ceremonies like these mean so much to him.
“Well, for me personally, I have a very deep and storied history with the flag. And then 17 years ago on June 14th, yesterday, I lost a comrade in arms in Iraq," Spooner said. "And so not only that, it's Flag Day but it's the day that I lost my friend, and so I mean every year I pay tribute to it and I never forget him."
Spooner said it’s what the flag represents that is what makes it worth fighting for.
“We're a country of many different backgrounds, diverse backgrounds, regardless of who or what you are," Spooner said. "And so collectively that all comes together because that's what these colors represent.”