Flag Day maintenance tips; where to take old flags for retirement
RAPID CITY, S.D. – June 14 is nationally recognized as Flag Day, honoring the day that Congress agreed on the design and color of the American flag in 1777.
Since the original design represented the 13 colonies, there have been over 25 variations before the current look. And as patriotic as it is to fly the flag, it is important to be mindful of the condition as well.
Here in the Black Hills, wind and weather can cause flags to deteriorate faster than normal. When flags start to lose their color or look weather-beaten, places like a local VFW offer ways to safely retire old flags.
“It’s just a sign of respect to bring it to get properly retired. It’s a completely free service,” Adjutant and Chaplain Katherine Pyka explained. “We have our box right in our entryway. Just drop it off and we will make sure it gets retired”
The VFW is open Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Other places that allow for residents to retire flags in Rapid City include The American Legion and the Boy Scouts of America, Black Hills Area Council.
