The flag retirement ceremony at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Jennings on June 14 was conducted by members of James O. Hall Post 19 of The American Legion, Department of Louisiana.
The flags were inspected by Sergeant-at-Arms Charles Burrell and Post Vice Commander Mike Sanchez. After it was determined that the flags were unserviceable, Post Commander Horace Naquin directed that the flags be properly retired by burning. Naquin said that “a flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for--a free nation of free men and women, true to the faith of the past and devoted to the ideals and practices of justice, freedom and democracy.”
Post 19 Chaplain Grace Dalton recited a prayer, and bugler Bill Caraway sounded “To the Colors.” The retired flags were then ceremoniously carried to the burn barrel where they were properly disposed by Veterans Home residents and members of Post 19.
In the photo, Veterans Home resident Ernie Whatley (center), assisted by Darrell Landry (left) and Bob Doucet (right) from James O. Hall Post 19, is shown participating in the ceremony.
June 14, 2019, also marked the 244th birthday of the United States Army