[Pictured from Left: Marine Corps veteran Roy Blakeburn, Navy veteran Bill Hall, Commander Wes Latchford-Virginia Beach Post 110, Commander Curry Brooks-2nd District, Vice Commander Al Steward-2nd District, and Navy veteran Kelly Kennedy]

Officers of the 2nd District, Department of Virginia and Virginia Beach Post 110 of The American Legion, along with fellow veterans and future Legion members, hold a 48-star U.S. Flag found among 93 flags given for disposal during a Flag Day Observance and Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable U.S. Flags held June 14th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help assisted living facility in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The ceremony was sponsored by the 2nd District, Department of Virginia and Virginia Beach Post 110.

Showing few signs of wear and tear, the flag was saved from burning to instead to be cleaned and restored to its previous glory. The 48-star flag is the longest flying version of the U.S. Flag, flying from admission of New Mexico and Arizona as states in 1912 to Alaska’s joining the Union in 1959. This flag was official for 47 years, longer than any other flag, serving with U.S. troops in World War I, World War II and Korea, and flying over The White House of eight Presidents.

(Photo by Bert Wendell, Jr.)