Sons of the American Revolution retire 34 worn United States Flags

On July 24, 2021, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution presented a Flag Retirement Certificate to the Wayside Inn, Middletown, Virginia, for a ceremony conducted June 14, 2021, to retire 34 worn United States Flags. Flags that become unserviceable are burned in a formal ceremony to show respect for the service the flag rendered the country as the symbol of a free country. The ceremony was held at sundown as the normal time to retire the colors for the day.

Dale Corey emcee’d the event with the color guard commanded by Marc Robinson. A three round musket salute was fired to begin the official burning. All members participating in the ceremony took turns retiring a flag.

President Marc Robinson presenting the certificate to Tammy Keeler, representing the Wayside Inn. Photo courtesy of Dale Corey.

The Wayside Inn is a wonderful location for the SAR to perform it’s ceremonies, with it’s long, rich history as the longest continuously operating inn in America, being founded in 1797. The next scheduled flag retirement at the Inn will be November 13th, and all are encouraged to join.