Veterans Park in Roanoke Rapids was the site of a recent joint flag retirement ceremony sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 144, the Alamance Battleground and the Halifax Resolves Chapters North Carolina Sons of the American Revolution.  Assistant Scout Master James Tuck opened the ceremony followed by the Invocation given by Halifax Resolves VP Geoff Pittard.  The Troop 144 Color Guard posted the colors and led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Members of the troop then presented the patriotic readings “I am Old Glory”, “A Toast to the Flag”, and “The Colors of the Flag”.  A ceremonial “Preparation of the Flame” was conducted by the scouts, Mr. Ken Wilson, Burn Master from the Halifax Resolves and Dr. Samuel C. Powell Burn of the Alamance Battleground Chapters NC SAR.  Flags were then committed to the flames followed by the playing of “Taps by Luke Riggan.  The Colors were then retired by the Troop Color Guard and a Benediction given by VP Pittard. A total of 973 flags were retired with honor and the ashes buried in an unmarked grave by the Burn Master.

The ceremony was conducted under the supervision of the Roanoke Rapids Firs Department.

Troop 144 Asst. Scout Master James Tuck

Troop 144 Color Guard

Ken Wilson and Sam Powell prepare to commit flags to the flames

Luke Riggan play “Taps”