A negative connotation might come to mind when people think of burning a flag, but the ROTC performed a ceremony Tuesday that showed a different meaning.
Cadets gathered on a sunny and breezy Veterans Day afternoon to “retire” a flag. The significant ceremony included a heartfelt explanation of the symbolism of the flag.
Eric Mehrtens, a political science senior and operation group commander, stood in front of a formation of new cadets and read to the group the purpose of the meeting.
“Our purpose here today is twofold,” Mehrtens said. “First, to honor our veterans and second, to retire an unserviceable United States Flag.”
Rachel Sherburne, a mass communication senior and Wing Commander, said it is customary for the military to completely burn a flag when it is not in good shape.
“The proper way to retire the flag is to burn it when it’s torn and worn because it’s not a good representation anymore,” Sherburne said. “It’s in honor of our veterans, and it’s a great way for the new cadets to see how this happens and know why we do it.”
She said the ceremony was originally scheduled to take place on the Parade Ground but was moved to the back yard of the Military Science Building to keep anyone from misinterpreting the intent.
“We didn’t want people to think we were just burning the flag,” Sherburne said. “This is done in a respectful way.”
Mehrtens said the flag used for the ceremony was taken down from its post in front of the Military Science Building. He said military personnel are supposed to let owners of torn and faded flags know that their flag is not in suitable condition for representation and should be taken down and retired.
He said people who want to have a proper retirement of their flag should take it to the proper location, such as the Military Science Building, instead of burning it themselves.
“We don’t want people to go out and start burning flags,” Mehrtens said.
The process is calculated and bears significance when it is done correctly, as displayed by the cadets.
The flag was cut into strips along the 13 stripes, and the section of stars kept in tact. Four members from the Pershing Rifles Honor Guard stood in height order, shortest to tallest, and took sharp, meticulous steps as they brought each strip to the fire.
Mehrtens read, “I am your flag, I am more than cloth shaped into design, I am the refuge of the world’s oppressed people, I am the silent sentinel of freedom.”
At the end of the ceremony, the flag is completely burned to ashes so that no color remains when it is finally discarded, Mehrtens said.
Sherburne said she thinks it is great to know the flag unites so many people, and it brings more meaning to her to know it is flying in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq as a symbol of what people are fighting for.
“It stands for so much, and this is a great way to honor those who have risked their lives for our country and for our flag,” she said. “Most of us will probably spend some time deployed, and ceremonies like this are inspiring.”
Brusly Sherburne, a business sophomore and 3rd class cadet, said this was the first time he has seen the ceremony.
“I thought it was pretty amazing, considering I never knew they did it that way,” he said. “I don’t want to sound cliche, but it really puts it all into perspective to see what it represents.”