LAKE GEORGE — Dozens of ragged, faded and torn U.S. flags were properly disposed of with the honor and dignity befitting them as symbols of our country in a moving flag retirement ceremony recently held at historic Fort William Henry. The ceremony was witnessed by more than 100 union activists attending our union’s Central Region Spring Conference.
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Veterans and members of the Region Veterans Committee salute the flags they are about to retire.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a presentation of arms by the Fort’s reenactors, members of the Central Region Veterans Committee took turns disposing of the flags into a firepit in the center of the Fort. Central Region President Colleen Wheaton thanked the Veterans Committee for putting the ceremony together.
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Fort William Henry’s reenactors fire their muskets in a salute following the presentation of arms.
“It was a very moving ceremony and a nice way to pay tribute to these flags as a symbol of our great country,” she said. “Our Veterans Committee did a great job putting this together and we thank them for their service and for this event.
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SUNY Cortland Local President Tom Hingher salutes the flag after placing it into the firepit.