In planning its flag-burning ceremony, Springstead High's Junior Air Force ROTC discovered more than the etiquette of the ceremony. They also learned the history and true meaning of the U.S. flag.
By LOGAN NEILL
Published November 13, 2003
SPRING HILL - As the somber strains of taps played from a small sound system, the flag escort paused at attention in front of a fire barrel. The last remnants of once proud American symbols were placed inside.
The sobering moment was not lost on the two dozen or so observers who had come to witness the flag burning ceremony staged Nov. 5 at Springstead High School. They watched in silence as the flames slowly rose toward the afternoon sky.
The significance of Old Glory is perhaps never as poignant as it is when it's time to pay final respects for a flag that is deemed no longer usable by its owner. The 148-members of Springstead High's Junior Air Force ROTC unit realized that when they planned their annual flag-burning ceremony in October.
They sent out word to the community that they would gladly dispose of any unwanted flags. The response was overwhelming.
"We got so many that we're going to have to schedule another day next semester," said junior Ashleigh Simon, who helped coordinate last week's flag-burning. Cadets had so many flags that they decided to have five separate ceremonies during the day.
The procedure for burning the American flag is richly steeped in etiquette and decorum, which according to tradition, must be done in an understated fashion. Ashleigh, a second lieutenant in the ROTC drill squad, researched on the Internet and in the school's military library and adapted procedures taken from Boy Scout and military honor ceremonies.
"A lot of the ceremony explains the history of the flag," said Ashleigh. "We thought that students would get more from it if they could relate the roll the flag has played during the history of our country."
During the ceremony, Ashleigh read a script that told of the symbolic importance of the flag's color scheme. Meanwhile, each flag was carried lengthwise to the incinerator where cadets Devin Itwaru and Amanda Paris cut away sections in proper order - blue field first, followed by the 13 red and white stripes. As each piece was cut, it was folded and placed in the fire.
At one of the morning ceremonies, the unit was visited by the members of the Spring Hill VFW Post 10209's color guard. The World War II and Korea War veterans stood silently and saluted while the young cadets completed their responsibilities.
"I'm glad they came," said senior Sammy Huey, a member of the flag detail. "It's very special to us to have people come out and show their support. We look at it as our way of showing we're proud to be Americans."
