Knights of Columbus to collect and retire damaged flags
LARAMIE, Wyo. — Local members of the Knights of Columbus are collecting worn and damaged American flags, which will be respectfully disposed of in a private ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, 2008. Disposal will be done in accordance with U.S. Federal Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8(k), which stipulates that an American flag should be "destroyed in a dignified way" when it is "no longer a fitting emblem for display."
The project is being spearheaded by the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus from Monsignor George A. Stoll Assembly 2872, with the assistance of other members of the Knights of Columbus from St. Laurence O'Toole Council 2720 and from University of Wyoming Council 10773.
E-mail YourFlag@gmail.com to arrange to have your flag(s) picked up from your Laramie home or business. If you're outside the immediate area, you may mail your flag(s) to Your Flag, PO BOX 1492, LARAMIE WY 82073–1492. Any flags received too late for the June 14 ceremony will be held for a future one.
For more information, refer to the list of frequently asked questions, further down on this Web page.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Read how the Knights of Columbus put God in the Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States originated on Columbus Day, 1893. It contained no reference to Almighty God, until April 22, 1951, when the board of directors of the Knights of Columbus adopted a resolution to amend the Pledge, as recited at the opening of each meeting of the 800 Fourth Degree assemblies of the Knights of Columbus, by the addition of the words “under God” after the words “one nation.”
At their 1952 conventions, the state councils of Florida, South Dakota, New York, and Michigan adopted resolutions recommending that the U.S. Congress be petitioned to make this amendment of the Pledge of Allegiance general.
On August 21, 1952, the supreme council of the Knights of Columbus adopted the resolution and forwarded it to members of the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government. The National Fraternal Congress, meeting in Boston on September 24, 1952, adopted a similar resolution upon the recommendation of its president, Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart. Several state fraternal congresses acted likewise almost immediately thereafter.
At its annual meeting the following year, the supreme council of the Knights of Columbus repeated its resolution to make this amendment to the Pledge of Allegiance general. Soon thereafter, seventeen resolutions were introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to so amend the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance, as it was set forth in a public law relating to the use of the flag.
The resolution introduced by Congressman Louis C. Rabaut of Michigan was adopted by both houses of Congress and was subsequently signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Flag Day, June 14, 1954, thereby making official the amendment conceived, sponsored, and put into practice by the Knights of Columbus more than three years before.
In a message to Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart at the 1954 supreme convention, President Eisenhower, in recognition of the initiative of the Knights of Columbus in originating and sponsoring the amendment to the Pledge of Allegiance, said: “We are particularly thankful to you for your part in the movement to have the words ‘under God’ added to our Pledge of Allegiance. These words will remind Americans that, despite our great physical strength, we must remain humble. They will help us to keep constantly in our minds and hearts the spiritual and moral principles which alone give dignity to man and upon which our way of life is founded. For the contribution which your organization has made to this cause, we must be genuinely grateful.”
In August 1954, the Illinois American Legion adopted a resolution whereby recognition was given to the Knights of Columbus as having initiated, sponsored, and brought about the amendment to the Pledge of Allegiance; and on October 6, 1954, the national executive committee of the American Legion gave its approval to that resolution.
Frequently asked questions
It's a Catholic, family, fraternal service organization built on the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Each of these principles is taught to its members in classes called "degrees." Local members who have taken the Fourth (Patriotic) Degree are leading the current flag-disposal project.
Does Congress prescribe a specific way to dispose of a flag in an appropriate way?
No, although burning is mentioned as the preferred method. Ceremonies differ among various organizations, each having their own traditions and symbolism. Even individuals may dispose of flags. The key is that it is done "in a dignified way."
But, isn't it disrespectful to burn an American flag?
It depends on the intention of the person doing it. Burning a flag is sometimes done publicly as a form of defiance, protest, or disrespect. However, it is more commonly done as a respectful way of taking an unpresentable flag out of circulation, usually in a private ceremony and as prescribed by the U.S. Congress.
What method will you be using?
The Supreme Council, the governing body of the international Knights of Columbus organization, does not prescribe a specific ceremony for the disposal of flags by its affiliated units, although its flag manual states a preferred method in wording which is almost identical to that prescribed by the U.S. Congress. Our local Flag Day event will use the burning method, within the context of a ceremony written specifically for this occasion.
Can I repair or clean my flag, instead?
Yes. There is no law against repairing or washing flags, and those are entirely appropriate ways of returning them to service. Some businesses will repair or dry clean flags at no charge, either year-round or near patriotic holidays.
How do I determine if my flag is "unpresentable"?
This is left up to your own judgment. Some consider a flag at least symbolically unpresentable, if it has suffered some form of desecration (intentionally or otherwise), such as having fallen to the ground or having been mishandled. In any case, a flag that is not "a fitting emblem for display" should be repaired, cleaned, or properly disposed of. However, even a perfectly good flag may be disposed of ceremoniously after it has served a specific purpose, such as having been flown for a special occasion; and some may wish to periodically retire and replace their flags before they become unpresentable.
How much does this service cost?
There is no cost to you whatsoever for having us dispose of your flag. We do not anticipate any major expenses for conducting this ceremony, so donations are neither asked for nor expected. Materials and time are being donated by local volunteers.
May I attend the ceremony?
Although this is a private ceremony primarily for local Knights of Columbus and their families, members of the public are welcome to observe. This activity will be conducted in a solemn, low-key manner and is not meant to be a spectacle or a media event; therefore, we reserve the right to ask anyone to leave at any time. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m., just inside the main entrance to Greenhill Cemetery, 455 N. 15th St., Laramie. We ask that no photographs be taken and that attendees maintain silence during the ceremony. There is no prescribed dress code, although attire that is appropriate to the solemnity of the occasion is suggested. Those in service uniforms (military, scouts, police, patriotic organizations, etc.) will be graciously acknowledged from the podium.
Will momentos be available?
Yes. A program booklet will be given to each person immediately prior to the ceremony. As is the tradition among some organizations, nonburnable flag accessories (such as metal grommets) will be retrieved from the ashes, immediately after the ceremony, and will be made available to any attendees that wish to take them.
What will you do with the ashes?
The ashes will be scattered among the gravestones of U.S. military veterans buried at Greenhill Cemetery, following the flag-retirement ceremony.
How do I get my flag to you?
If you're in the Laramie area, we'll come pick it up. If you're further away, you can mail it to us. See the instructions in the article at the top of this page.
I have another question.
You can e-mail questions or comments to us at YourFlag@gmail.com. Or, if a green light is shown in the chat bubble below, you can talk to us live.