STURGIS, SD – Veterans, friends and family members gathered on Saturday evening at the Sturgis Veterans Club to observe a flag retirement ceremony and the traditional cake cutting, celebrating Flag Day and 250 years of the United States Army.
Kurt Belawske, commander of Sturgis VFW Post 2730, welcomed everyone to the flag retirement ceremony outside of the Vets Club and read an essay about the American flag. Boy Scout troop #109 assisted in the flag retirement ceremony, reverently placing each flag over a fire as the crowd watched silently.
The flag retirement ceremony is a respectful way to dispose of a worn-out or damaged American flag. It involves a formal process where the flag is folded, presented, and then burned or buried in a dignified manner, symbolizing the end of its service.
Following the Flag Day ceremony, Belawske read a statement from Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Randy George, honoring the United States Army. Then the oldest and youngest Army veterans took part in the traditional cake cutting, honoring 250 years of the United States Army. Belawske was the youngest Army veteran present and Pat Urbaniak was the oldest, representing all Army veterans.
