Students, teachers and community members gathered east of the Wessington Springs Elementary School gymnasium to witness a flag retirement ceremony held by members of the American Legion Willman-Fee Post #14 immediately following the school’s Veterans Day program last Friday. Retiring the flags by incineration were Legion members Kyle Everson (shown above), Jim Brodkorb and Dennis Scheel (not pictured). U.S. Flag code states that, “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Mild wind conditions made this year the first post-Veterans Day program flag retirement ceremony outdoors in three years. The Legion offers the service to the community in order to retire Old Glory with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation’s flag.
