Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this article and took the photograph.
Morrison, IL, Morrison American Legion Post 328 held a 12:30 p.m. flag burning ceremony in Grove Hill Cemetery, on Sunday, September 25, 2022.
Post Commander Larry Zuidema presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Morrison Lions Club, for their fund drive to encourage citizens to purchase new flags. Public donations were such that more than the needed 320 flags were purchased, along with replacement poles, an improved storage system, and establishment of a flag replacement fund. Additionally, three 20′ telescoping poles were placed at the three “Welcome to Morrison” signs. Flags were displayed in May 2022 along “Morrison’s Avenue of Flags” [U. S. Route 30 and IL Route 78], and will continue to be a part of celebratory events.
Veteran Dennis VanZuiden sang the National Anthem, and Veteran Jerry Brearton offered these words of acknowledgement of the flag burning event.
“These flags of our Country have been inspected and condemned as unserviceable. They have reached their current condition in proper service of tribute, memory, and love. A flag may be a flimsy piece of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of the finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great. But its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we have worked for, lived for, and will die for, a Nation of free men and women, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy, and who stand for the National Anthem and only take a knee for the cross.
“Let these 598 retired flags of our Country be destroyed with respectable and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new flags. Let no grave of a serviceman or service woman be unhonored and unmarked. “
Igniting of the flags was followed by a Legionnaires’ seven-rifle salute and the playing of
“Taps” by Carolyn Aiken. The public was invited to the Post, 306 E. Main Street, for an ice cream social.
