Plover VFW conducts flag-changing ceremony at Whispering Pines

By Patrick Lynn

PLOVER — The Plover Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10262 Rifle Squad conducted a flag-changing ceremony Tuesday at Whispering Pines Assisted Living community to commemorate the upcoming July 4 holiday.

Rifle Squad Commander Norb Strasser greeted community and staff members, offering a brief history of the Declaration of Independence.

“The signing of this document on July 4, 1776, signified that the 13 colonies no longer had to fly the flag of Great Britain,” Strasser said. “Today, we have the honor of presenting the National Standard, the Flag of the United States, to this worthy organization, Whispering Pines Assisted Living.”

Following a reading of the poem, “I Am Your Flag,” by Strasser and the Pledge of Allegiance, Rifle Squad members retrieved the tattered American flags from two flagpoles on the campus and raised two new flags to the bugle call, “To The Colors.”

Strasser said under the Federal 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.”

He encouraged community members to take unserviceable flags to a flag collection site.

The VFW has a flag collection box in front of its post at 2970 Hickory Dr. in Plover. Another flag disposal box is located on the north side of the Portage Co. Courthouse.

Members of the VFW also replace flags at Fleet Farm, Lowe’s, Goodwill in Stevens Point and Plover, and the Portage County Transfer Center.

For information or assistance with flag disposal and retirement, contact Plover VFW at (715) 341-8414.