Flag retirement ceremony honors vets and Old Glory
VINTON - At 2 p.m. on November 10, the stands of William Byrd’s football stadium began filling with people. Students filed from the school, through the cold and wind, into the stand to sit alongside members of the community. It wasn’t a sporting event that drew them all together, it was a flag retirement ceremony put on by William Byrd High’s Jr. ROTC cadets.
According to the US Flag Code, “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.” During Thursday’s ceremony several flags were retired at the same time. “These are flags that have been donated by parents and friends of our cadets, plus we get some from the local community” explained Major Jeffrey N. Pruitt, USAF (Ret) of William Byrd HS AFJROTC.
WWII vets in attendance salute as the Corps of Cadets passes by them. - Photo by Carrie E. Cox
Three cadets stood solemnly in the center of the field, each holding a bundle in their arms. Senior Cadet Sauceda held the bundle of red stripes, the first to be burned, while “I Am The Flag” was read aloud. Senior Cadet Pritchard, holding the bundle of white stripes, was next, followed finally by Senior Cadet Horton who held the bundle known as the ‘blue field.’ Each cadet presented their bundles to the Corps Commander who then, in turn, laid them into the flames.
As the remnants began to burn Orin Sharp and Stephanie Ashwell, members of William Byrd High School’s band, stepped forth to play Taps. Though Taps is played to honor fallen comrades, Cadet Alain Diehl, who led the majority of the ceremony, explained that “in this case, Taps is played for the simple fact that we are retiring Americas most valued and respected symbol, our nation’s flag.”
This ceremony was also special in that the ROTC cadets planned a special salute to World War II veterans. They invited the veterans to attend the ceremony as our special guests. At the end of the ceremony each of the attending vets were recognized by name, rank, and with a brief description of the action they saw during the war, read by Cadet Brittany Neal, and were then presented with a framed grommet, an honor that is said to bring luck.
Among the WWII vets in attendance, Staff Sergeant Mills Hobbs took the moment of receiving his grommet to thank the cadets for all they have done and to let them know how much it meant to them as vets. Mills H. Hobbs, served in A Company, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division of the Army as a Staff Sergeant from 1942 to 1945. His unit stormed Omaha Beach and advanced thru Saint-Lo and then on into Germany. He was wounded three times and sent to the rear only to come back each time as Platoon Sergeant.
The WWII vets, who were given a special salute during the ceremony, stand for acknowledgement. - Photo by Carrie E. Cox
Mills Hobbs was one of eleven WWII vets who were honored with grommets during the ceremony. The others were Sgt. Bob Slaughter, Petty Officer Henry C. Fisher, 1st Lt John C. Kessler, Lieutenant Colonel Robert D. Erickson, Russell M. Robinson, ACE fighter pilot Bill Overstreet, Sgt. Oscar B. Fix, Corporal Edwin Shepherd, Corporal Marvin Ford, and Edsel E. Via. Both Corporal Ford and Mr. Via were honored posthumously, with members of their family accepting the grommets on their behalf.
After the grommets were handed out the Corps of Cadets passed review, facing right and saluting the vets who in turn saluted them back, as they passed by.
Cadet Diehl spoke one last time saying “Ladies and gentlemen, as you go through the rest of the day, reflect on what you have seen here. Take the opportunity to thank a veteran for his or her service.”
Story By: Carrie E. Cox
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