A flag retiring ceremony for a campfire group.

The American Flag. We display the flag to show our support of the freedoms we fight for in our country. We display the flag to remind us of the men and women who secured our freedoms over 200 years ago. We display the flag to honor the history of our great country, to support our country today, and to hope for an even better future.

When a flag of the United States becomes torn, tattered, or faded, the United States Flag Code requires that the flag be replaced and retired. Proper disposal of a retired American Flag is only by two approved methods, burning and burying.

Burying an Amerian flag is only done on the battlefield where fires would give a position away.

Burning the flag is the preferred method of disposal. Burning the American flag in retirement must be done is a patriotic manner.

The flag will be unfolded and displayed to show that it is ready for retirement. It is then laid on a fire to burn as a patriotic theme prevails. When the fire has gone out, and all pieces of the flag have been burnt, the ashes will be scattered in an appropriate manner.

Let us stand and remove our hats as we honor the American Flag and the people who have fought under her for our freedoms.

Continue with patriotic readings and/or songs.

[If needed - amend as needed] As with the American flag, other flags of significance are disposed of in the same manner. Included in tonight's ceremony, we have added a POW/MIA flag of honor, and a flag of the State of Ohio.

[If needed] Our flag detail will now bring forward flags that have flown over the grave markers of local heroes who served in our Armed Forces.

A very powerful ending is having a brass instrument somewhere in the darkness outside the campfire circle being playing taps after the last flag.