Pvt. B. Ray Rarick, Battery A, 108th Field Artillery, 28th Infantry Division, was a veteran of World War I. He was also a charter member of American Legion Post 410 in Mifflinburg, Pa.

When he passed away in Chautauqua County, New York, in 1985 The American Legion provided military honors for his funeral and presented the family with his burial flag. The flag passed around the family for several decades before finally being given to me, his grandson. The flag had been unfolded, displayed and refolded incorrectly (stripes out).

We were an American Legion family, with my father (a World War II veteran), my brother (a Vietnam-era veteran) and myself (a career federal civil service Department of the Army civilian and member of the Sons of The American Legion). It was important to have his flag folded properly and that The American Legion participate again.

American Legion Post 17 in Lovingston, Va., answered the call. They took the opportunity to use refolding the flag as a teaching moment before their annual flag retirement ceremony with the local Boy Scout troop. Under American Legion guidance and narration, the Scouts reverently refolded the flag and presented it back to me.

From the remarks from the parents afterward, and the Scouts, it was a solemn profound ceremony that made a great impression on these young people.

— Jay Rarick
Commander
Squadron VA-017
Detachment of Virginia
Sons of The American Legion