346 flags are retired during annual ceremony

From left are (front row) junior fireman Landon Jones; (next row) Pat Hogan, Frans Kasteel, Brian McArdle, Mae Umphlett, Mike Kelley, Ted Hobson and Owen McGuill.

KILMARNOCK—U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33 and the Town of Kilmarnock on Flag Day, June 14, collected and retired 346 unserviceable flags.

“We have inspected these flags and find they are unserviceable and should be retired,” said Flotilla 33 chaplain Frans Kasteel.

After a prayer, Flotilla 33 commander Pat Hogan gave the order to begin burning the flags.

As recommended by the American Legion, the most honorable way to retire U.S. flags is to burn them, particularly on Flag Day, June 14. This was the eighth annual ceremony which provided…