By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — The smoke rose above the trees Monday afternoon at Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342 as a couple of its members and other veterans stood around a barrel to burn or dispose of more than 200 flags.
When a flag is no longer serviceable, is so tattered or soiled that it isn’t fit to display, the most respectful way to destroy it is by burning.
After a long day of Memorial Day services, veterans Harold Andrews, Hercules Shannon, Ronald Robinson and Harry Garwood conducted a short ceremony and, under the heat of the afternoon sun, burned the flags.
There were American flags, state flags, POW-MIA flags and others.
It’s no longer necessary, said Hercules Shannon, president of the Rowan County Veterans Council, to cut the blue from the white and red stripes in order to dispose of the flag.
The flags that were burned during the Monday ceremony were given to the Legion post and saved for this day and this ceremony.
The Salisbury Fire Department was on hand to make sure the fire stayed under control.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.