On a crisp and windy Sunday morning, Concord held its traditional flag retirement ceremony in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. With great respect and ceremony, upwards of 1,000 flags were burned. They were gathered from local residents, as well as from neighboring towns and as far away as New Hampshire. Given our current great interest in patriotism and the high number of flags flown since September 11th, there were roughly double the normal number to retire.
Most of us take this ceremony for granted as it has been held since 1965. But to most of the country, it is a still new and unusual idea. In that year, the idea was first proposed by Concordians James Carroll, Francis McDonald, Bernard Rushe, and Thomas Tombeno and Acton's Clark McElevin. Until that time, cemetery flags were left in place through the fall and winter months. By spring, their torn and faded condition was thought to honor neither our national colors nor our departed veterans.
Concord citizens were invited to bring their own flags to the ceremony. Flags ready for retirement had also been collected throughout November at our fire stations and post offices. The Concord Fire Department, Independent Battery, our current Honored Citizens, 4H Fife and Drum Corps, Veterans, a Gold Star Mother, scout troops, town, elected officials and clergy participated in the ceremony at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. As always, refreshments were served afterwards at 51 Walden, courtesy of FOPAC and Dunkin Donuts.
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Deputy Fire Chief Chris Kelly drops a flag into the flames, after it was presented to him by one of our current Honored Citizens.
Some of the many flags retired; the stacks of small flags having been collected from Veterans' graves throughout the cemetery.
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The town-wide vigil in memory of the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks was held at Concord-Carlisle High School.
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