Respect for the American flag is an important topic of learning in schools. Whether it be in learning the Pledge of Allegiance while standing before  a flag or standing with hand over heart during the National Anthem, students learn about it from an early age.

But what about when those flags that fly outside that become battered, beaten and torn from the elements? It is then time to retire them and there is a process; one that the Utah National Guard demonstrated to students on September 6 at Mont Harmon Middle School.

Three guardsmen, Staff Sargeant Garth Johnson, Private First Class David Wilkinson and Specialist Nico Velazquez demonstrated and spoke to students

that were broken into three different grade leve groups in the courtyard of the school concerning respect for the flag and what to do when it is being retired. They had a cadre of old flags that needed retirement with them and they showed how the flags are raised up the flag pole to full measure, then they are brought down and escorted over to an area where they can be burned with respect, thus put out of commission with honor.

Students who watched sat quietly while the guardsmen did their job and then the task of burning the flags was left to groups of selected students who stood near where the flames were and placed the flags on the fire.

All in all it was a good lesson for all the students who watched the ceremony and now understand that American flags just don’t fade away, but are retired with honor and respect.