Assembly 2570 Flag Retirement

Sir Knights of Assembly 2570 along with knights of Council 10524 successfully completed the annual flag retirement ceremony on a hot Texas June 14^th afternoon. The assembly sir knights have been performing this formal flag retirement ceremony for the Athens community for many years and the event has grown in attendance and participation by local groups including the Boy Scouts of America with representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. The ceremony commenced at 5 PM with an invocation followed by the presentation of the colors by the sir knights and the singing of the National Anthem. Faithful Navigator Jerry Nolan served as the master of ceremonies and Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney was the guest speaker. The judge reminded all in attendance of the importance of ceremonies, such as the flag retirement ceremony, which showed respect of our nations flag and the proper protocol regarding the retirement of the flag when it had reached the end of its service life. He also reminded all of what the flag stood for, and the sacrifices made by those who have protected the flag and our liberties while serving in the armed forces.

The ceremony started with a flag being presented for retirement, in honor of the deceased veterans of the Athens community. The flag was received by Faithful Navigator, Jerry Nolan, who in turn presented the ceremonial flag for retirement. The boy scouts, with the assistance of the sir knights, proceeded with cutting the flag into sections for disposal according to published guidance. The sir knights then placed the flag portions into the burn pit. It has become a tradition of the assembly to encourage guests in attendance to retire a flag in the memory of a family service member or family friend. The proceedings were no different this year as many guests presented flags for retirement in the memory of those who had served in most all of the nation’s recent wars, conflicts, and operations.

After all the flags were retired a closing prayer was led by Tyler Diocese seminarian Nathanial Hall and the knights then gathered at a local restaurant for dinner and social. Pictured on the left below is Faithful Navigator Jerry Nolan while seminarian Nathian Hall offers the opening prayers before the flag retirement ceremony. Pictured below on the right are the boy scouts of the local Athens Troop along with knights as they prepare the ceremonial flag for retirement.

Pictured on the left below is Faithful Navigator Jerry Nolan while seminarian Nathian Hall offers opening prayers before the flag retirement ceremony. Pictured below on the right are the boy scouts of the local Athens Troop along with knights as they prepare the ceremonial flag for retirement.