3 days ago
17 News, Bakersfield Young Marines work to retire American flags
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — They say the American flag waves with the last breath of each service member who died defending it.
Perhaps it actually waves on its own.
'United States flags are considered a living entity while they're being flown, and when they are worn and tattered, they deserve the proper respect of retirement,' said Steve Gerber, a Bakersfield Young Marines unit commander.
That's why the Bakersfield Young Marines are asking you to bring your old flags that are ready for retirement. It's not as easy as just throwing it out or setting it ablaze yourself.
'Through another agency, they would start a campfire and burn the flag, but that creates smoke, creates an ash,' said Gerber. 'Partnered up about seven years ago with Greenlawn Southwest and they send them through the crematorium.'
If you don't know where else to bring them, bring them right to our studio on 2120 L Street. We'd be happy to take them off your hands.
'Our country means a lot to me and I do not want to dishonor it in any way, shape or form,' said Marsha McKinney, who brought a flag to be retired. 'So giving the flag a proper disposal is a personal thing I feel strongly about.'
'It's respectful of our flag and our country. I had an uncle that was killed in World War II…my dad and other uncles served in World War II,' said Gail Malouf, who also brought flags to be retired. 'It's important for us to respect our country and our flag and that's what we're supposed to do.'
For these young marines, they get to learn more about our flag, our nation, and the brave men and women who died defending it.
'Flag day is where we show respect to our country, and to the flag that holds our country together,' said Cristopher Baires-Rodriguez, a young marine pulley.
'In the past, throughout the wars and everything, the flag was there from the beginning,' said Emma Davis, young marine corporal. 'And I think it shows a great representation of what we fought for and what a bunch of people died for.'
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