NAHANT — Flames blazed on the shore of Short Beach Friday evening as Nahant American Legion 215 held its flag retirement ceremony.
June 14, 1777 was the date in which the Continental Congress adopted the design of the American Flag. A typical tradition of the day is to retire flags in poor condition by immolation.
“When flags are no longer fit for flying… then they should be honorably retired,” Legion member and Vietnam War veteran Dennis Treece explained. “Preferably by burning.”
Treece is also a veteran to the tradition of flag retirement. He recalled how he retired more than 22,000 flags throughout six years as Security Director for the Massachusetts Port Authority.
“It’s a labor of love,” Treece said.
The Legion’s Senior Vice Commander Kenneth LaClair recalled how Flag Day is significant for him in more ways than one. LaClair first enlisted in the military on Flag Day nearly 50 years ago.
Several residents visited the site to offer their flags to be properly retired. Ronan Doherty, 5 proudly handed his family’s folded flag to Legion Chaplain Ed Manzano. Manzano pointed out the difference between a flag retirement and flag burning, as one represents the utmost respect while the latter does not. The trio of Treece, LaClair, and Manzano built a wall of sand around the fire as the tide approached.
