Sewickley Veterans Retire 'Old Glory' in Flag Ceremony

Sewickley's annual Friday evening was the start of a four-day tribute observiong Memorial Day weekend in the borough. 

This year's ceremony took place in Wolcott Park and included veteran participation from Sewickley's American Legion Post 4, , the . The local also joined in the flag ceremony as did the local Boy Scouts. The night went forward with patriotic music and a freworks display. 

The 121st  annual  continues today at 10:30 a.m. with a memorial service aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Osage.

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Sunday, May 27

11 a.m. – Veteran’s Memorial Service, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 616 Washington St.

Monday, May 28

10 a.m. – 121st annual parade

Immediately following – Program at Wolcott Park.

Immediately following – Program at Sewickley Cemetery.

Retiring Old Glory

When the United States flag (Old Glory) becomes worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, it is time to replace it with a new flag, and the old flag should be "retired" with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag. The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire.

A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. In addition, it is easier to completely incinerate the flag, if it is cut into smaller pieces. A flag should never be torn up like an old bed sheet. It should be cut up with scissors or shears in a methodical manner. The corners of the flag should be stretched out over a table top and someone should cut the flag in half, vertically (be careful not to cut up the blue star field (see the figure). Then, place the two halves together and cut them in half, horizontally. You will end up with four pieces of flag, one being the blue star field.