For a long time now it has been a tradition at Post 927 in Gilbert to hold an American flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day.

"We have been doing this for many years," said Thomas W. Franklin, post commander. "The Scouts from Troop 102 have been part of the ceremony for the last four years."

According to Franklin, Troop 102 is sponsored by the Post.

Every year, prior to Memorial Day the scouts converge on local cemeteries and collect the old and worn flags from the graves of American veterans.

The old flags are replaced with new flags.

The troop this year collected the flags from Gilbert, Effort, Hillside, Old Brodheadsville and Buena Vista cemeteries and brought them to the American Legion post.

The post also collects old and worn flags from businesses, schools and other public buildings during the course of the year in anticipation of the ceremony.

Once the flags are laid out, they are inspected by the post commander and vice commander.

If the flags are deemed to be "unserviceable" the post commander orders the sergeant-at-arms to proceed with the destruction of the flags.

In 1937 at the National Convention of the American Legion a resolution was passed creating the Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags.

The resolution in part states, "In a proper service of tribute and memory and love, our Flag becomes faded and worn and must be honorably retired from life."