Heidelberg, Germany -- It is customary to see the American flag crackling in the wind, not crackling on a fire--burning.

But that is the custom when American flags that have done their service over military installations and veterans’ graves become unserviceable--a custom carried out by American Legion members and area Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts on Flag Day last Thursday.

Scouts and members of American Legion Rhein Neckar Post 3 burned approximately 60 ripped, torn, and faded flags, including three large post flags, in the flag-burning ceremony which took place at Patton Barracks.

Photo by SSG Drumsta American Legion Rhein Neckar Post 3 member Otis M. Jones places a large post flag on a pile of burning flags during the flag- burning ceremony that took place at Patton Barracks on June 15th.

The Scouts presented the small flags and large post flags for final inspection to American Legion First Vice Commander George Hall and American Legion Second Vice Commander Alvin Thompson. Then American Legion Rhein Neckar Post 3 Commander Keith Bushey instructed the Scouts to present the flags to American Legion member Otis M. Jones for burning. It was the first time Jones participated in the Flag Day tradition.

“I don’t really like burning flags at all,” Jones said. He added that flag burning is like a burial detail, which allows new flags to take the place of old flags.

The Scouts and American Legion members replace unserviceable flags on veterans’ graves each Memorial Day, in addition to giving each grave a flower and a salute. Thompson said the flag-burning ceremony is a valuable teaching tool for the Scouts.

“It’s an education for these young fellows,” Thompson said. “We advocate and teach respect and flag etiquette in the school and scout meetings. We have literature available, and instruction if they ask for it.”

Thompson said the flag-burning ceremony caps the Scouts’ flag-awareness education.

“This brings it home,” Thompson said. “They learn the pledge of allegiance and the other various things, like what one must and must not do with the colors. But this brings it home, makes it more vivid.”

Thompson said the flag’s rich history is not emphasized enough in school and is often neglected because of what he called “our busy life.”

Photo by SSG Drumsta Area Boy Scouts watch as small American flags are burned during the flag-burning ceremony which took place June 15th at Patton Barracks. Scouts and American Legion members replaced the unserviceable flags, which adorned veterans' graves, last Memorial Day.

“She’s a beautiful symbol,” Thompson said, “and it’s a beautiful country she stands for, and I am awfully proud to be a member of that country.”

“It’s kind of cool to see a burning of flags, and how they really do it,” said Boy Scout James Wade Hampton. “I’ve never seen a burning of flags.”

Hampton said flag ceremonies are good, because they allow people to show respect for their country.

Not all old flags are burned, according to Bushey. He said historically significant flags are formally retired and placed in museums or other places of honor.

The Scouts and American Legion members also team up to clean veterans’ grave on Veterans Day, and conduct a ‘Parade of Flags’ event on July 4th. Bushey said the Scouts learn history and pride from the American Legion’s Flag Awareness Program and the participation in the flag ceremonies.

“They get a sense that the flag is important,” Bushey said. “It’s not just a piece of cloth that they have to salute.”

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USAREUR POC for this release is SSG Drumsta at DSN 370-7124, commercial, 06221-57-7124 or Email drumstar@hq.hqusareur.army.mil