VFW respectfully retires flags while educating students

By Editor | September 24, 2025 |

Photo by Shari Harris
From left, Veterans Michael Mas, Gary Gorman, Dennis McKinney and Billie Krewson prepare for their parts in the Flag Retirement Ceremony. Veterans Ed Folger and Virgil Zoeller also participated in the ceremony.

Photo by Loretta Gann
Students who arrived early for the ceremony received a little extra education. Finn Sullins helped VFW Post #6337 Commander Billie Krewson fold a flag, while a teacher read what each fold meant.

By Shari Harris, Publisher

Members of Licking VFW Post #6337 and their auxiliary hosted an official Flag Retirement Ceremony on Thursday, and invited fifth grade students from Licking, Raymondville and Success Schools, along with students from Raymondville Christian School, to attend. More than 70 students participated and 160 flags were retired from service.

A flag disposal box in front of Licking’s City Hall serves as a drop-off location for damaged flags throughout the year, with VFW members emptying the box regularly. The flags are safely stored until September, when this annual event is held.

During the ceremony, flags were officially decommissioned. A flag was presented and inspected to show its disrepair, and after VFW Commander Billie Krewson approved its disposal, the flags were burned. The purge of fire is the only true way to dispose of the U.S. Flag.

Students assisted in supporting two large flags off the ground while Cmdr. Krewson cut them into four pieces each to allow for complete burning. These flags were flown at the junction of Highway 63 and Highway 32 in Licking, He explained to students that every thread of each flag must be destroyed, so that no part of it would fall into enemy hands.

After the outdoor component of the ceremony, students went inside for snacks. Veterans and auxiliary members shared stories of their time in service, and students were allowed to ask questions.

The event not only introduced students to the patriotism of honoring the flag, it offered a rare opportunity for both students and Veterans to interact and learn from one another.

Thank you to the Veterans of Licking VFW Post #6337 for offering this valuable service to the community.