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Veterans properly dispose of worn-down flags, remembering 9/11 By: Paul D. Martin US Veteran/PR Officer, American Legion Post 157

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On Sept. 11, 2024 (also known as Patriot Day and Remembrance Day to commemorate America’s lost citizens during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001), American Legion Davidson-Haltom Post 157 conducted a private ceremony at the home of a Legionnaire. Seven fellow Legionnaires gathered in a solemn ceremony to thank some 100 unserviceable flags and then consigned them to a clean and purging flame. Those Legionnaires included Commander Chris Dunbar, Vice Commander Brian Hogg, Post Chaplain Paul Boucier, Post Sergeant at Arms Tony Barry, Legionnaire Paul Martin, Legionnaire (and Henderson Mayor) Terry Bell, veteran Jim Hanson, and their families.

As part of American Legion Post 157’s active ongoing effort to honor the symbols of America’s great country having become unserviceable for various reasons, American Legion Davidson-Haltom Post 157 in Henderson hosts a formal public ceremony on Flag Day (June 14) to gratefully retire (dispose by burning) of unusable American flags.
However, the citizens of Chester County replace their flags far too often for those flags to be retired in a single annual ceremony. As a result, American Legion Davidson-Haltom Post 157 plans and conducts private ceremonies at intervals throughout the year.
The United States flag is a precious symbol of all that we as Americans have worked and lived for (and too often died for) – a free Nation of free peoples. American Legion Post 157’s members are devoted to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy.
Flag Retirement Boxes are placed throughout the community with the largest at the Chester County Recycling Center on Talley Store Road in Henderson. All citizens are encouraged to place their unserviceable flags in one of the boxes so that each flag can be retired with the honors it deserves.
For questions, contact Chris Dunbar, Commander of American Legion Post 157, at (731)-608-5547.
E-mail at TN1157@cmdr@gmail.com or visit online at facebook.com/ALTN157.
Mail address to: American Legion Davidson-Haltom Post 157, PO Box 484, Henderson, TN 38340.