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Anesha Gonzalez

Retiring ‘Old Glory’ with dignity

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A group of roughly 30 cadets of the Zephyrhills High School JROTC recently took part in a dignified ceremony to ‘retire’ worn American flags.

The event took part at Oakfield Cemetery in Zephyrhills.

Capt. Emily Quintana, of the Zephyrhills High School Army JROTC, joined other cadets in a dignified ceremony to retire worn American flags. The event took place at the Oakside Cemetery in Zephyrhills. (Fred Bellet)

Besides burning the flags, which is the appropriate way to dispose of them, members of the JROTC unit also scrubbed headstones of veterans buried in the cemetery.

Cadet Capt. James Laferriere, who spearheaded the ceremony, was the officer in charge.

Cadets Anesha Gonzalez and Madeline Starnes were among others taking part in the solemn occasion.

“The purpose of this event is to motivate cadets and raise their morale,” LaFerriere said. “Paying homage to veterans teaches the cadets citizenship, respect and professionalism, while helping to better the community.”

In addition to the cadets, some members of the public came to observe the ceremony.

Published February 24, 2021

Lt. Col. Cadet Autumn Bayless, left, a Zephyrhills High senior, leads in the singing of the national anthem.
JROTC Army cadets from Zephyrhills High School, with their distinctive black protective masks and their white gloves, rehearse before the scheduled event.
Zephyrhills High School JROTC cadets scrub the gravestones of veterans at Oakfield Cemetery.
Cadet Capt. James Laferriere, a junior at Zephyrhills High School, was officer in command at the flag retirement ceremony.
JROTC Army Cadet 1st Sgt. Jimmy McAuley III, 16, awaits commands during the flag retirement ceremony.