The American Flag has long been the symbol of our country and the freedoms that the United States guarantees its citizens. On June 14, 1777, the "stars and Stripes" was adopted as our nation's colors. Then, on May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson declared June 14th as "Flag Day" - a day all Americans would be encouraged to fly and pay homage to our "Stars and Stripes." Since September 11, 2001, many more Americans have been regularly displaying "Old Glory" to show our resolve and patriotism. However, with frequent or prolonged use, the flag can become faded, worn, and unserviceable. The Flag Code (4 USC Ch 1) says "the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." In 1937, the American Legion adopted a Ceremony for the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags, and Post 208, along with Dixon VFW Post 8151, will hold this ceremony in Women’s Improvement Park on North First Street at dusk (about 8 PM) on Saturday, June 14th. Area residents are invited to turn in their unserviceable flags for this fitting ceremony. Flags may be given to any American Legion of VFW member, taken to Dixon Hardware or the Dixon Department by June 12th, or brought to the ceremony for proper disposal this year. For more on Flag etiquette, see the links on the American Legion web page at http://www.legion.org/our_flag/of_faq_flag.htm or the Post 208 home page at http://www.dixonveterans.org/Legion/.
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