Submitted by Jon O’Connor
Commander, Anthony-Hunt-Hamilton American Legion Post
Back in the day many older individuals remember celebrations of the Red, White & Blue in mid-June, right before school ended. June 14th is Flag Day which marks the adoption of the United States’ flag. Bedford’s rich heritage of our Pole Capping ceremonies squarely ties us to 1775; along with our very own Bedford Flag. Somewhere over the years (IMHO), we lost the significance in which Second Continental Congress proclaimed Flag Day on June 14th 1777.
Next Tuesday, June 14 at 6 pm, a ceremony will be held to commemorate Flag Day, and also to properly retire old and worn out flags. The Flag Day Retirement Ceremony will be held in the back parking lot of 357 The Great Road, Bedford, MA behind the American Legion.
If neighbors in the vicinity see a brighter than normal sky that evening, please note that the Bedford Fire Department and the Bedford Police Department are both participating and support this event, with safety and precautionary methods are in place. The public may drop off flags to be retired at the Police Station or the Fire Department during regular business hours.
Other organizations participating in this year’s event are: the American Legion Post 221, Boy Scouts Troop 194, Daughters of the American Revolution, Bedford Girl Scouts, Hanscom Air Force Base personnel, Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 1628 and members from the Wheeling for Feeling Bike Rally. Hopefully, this year will be the first of many “Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremonies” to come – growing each year, not only with attendance, but also with an increased passion for the Red, White, and Blue.
All of the organizations and groups participating this year will accept your flags for retirement. Or better yet, please bring your flag that evening and be part of the ceremony yourself. The public is welcome.
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