The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Retiring ‘Old Glory’ with dignity

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Waves of flames consumed about 400 tattered, torn and faded American flags in a dignified Flag Retirement Ceremony, hosted by Lutz/Land O’ Lakes American Legion Post 108.

The remnants of some 400 retired American flags can be seen going up in flames, as members of the American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard stand at attention. (Fred Bellet)

Post Commander Randy Holeyfield presided over the June 12 event, which was held on the grounds of Harvester United Methodist Church, at 2432 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Holeyfield explained the history of the traditional method of disposing of American flags.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S. “Hammer” Hartsell also offered a few words, to mark the occasion. Hartsell is now executive director of the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs.

The flags were arranged on a multi-tier burn pit. They ranged in size from 2-feet-long to 32-feet long. Post members called the giant flag “Big Bertha.”

Once in their place, the flags were doused with charcoal fluid and ceremoniously set ablaze.

The hundreds of flags — some cloth and some nylon — had been collected from community and other service organizations in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties.

Published June 23, 2021

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S. ‘Hammer’ Hartsell spoke to those attending the Flag Retirement Ceremony. Hartsell now is the executive director of the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs.
Jim Littrell, adjutant of American Legion Post 108, works on a multi-tier burn pit to accommodate some 400 American flags that were being disposed of, in a respectful way, during the post’s Flag Retirement Ceremony. Littrell lives in North Tampa.
North Tampa Behavioral Hospital employee Rodney Williams, of Wesley Chapel, left, attends the Flag Retirement Ceremony, with several veterans from the facility. For Williams and the others, it was a moving moment as fire consumed the worn, faded and tattered American flags.
Kurt Gies, commander of American Legion Post 63, had the honors of fire duty. Here, he sprays down the huge flames that consumed the American flags. Only ashes remained, after the fire was extinguished.
Jack Evans, a member of Tampa’s American Legion Post 5, looks on while Randy Holeyfield, commander of the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes American Legion Post 108, addresses the crowd. Holeyfield’s talk explained the history of the solemn ceremony.

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