The West Haven Fire Department is now prepared to accept United States Flags that are no longer serviceable for display. Members of the public can now deposit U.S. Flags to be retired in a receptacle located to the left front entrance of the West Haven Fire Headquarters, 366 Elm Street, West Haven. The flags will be retired in periodic ceremonies conducted throughout the year for the express purpose of disposing of such flags in a dignified and honorable manner.
In announcing the new program, Department Chief James P. O’Brien said Members of the Department identified a need for a durable and easily accessible box where community members could dispose of their worn or tattered U.S. flags to ensure that the flags would be disposed of in a respectful manner. Working with members of our community, a box has been obtained and placed in front of the of Department’s headquarters on Elm Street. Citizens are encouraged to begin using the collection box to dispose of their worn flags, he continued.
The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag of the United States. Included in these rules is guidance regarding the proper disposal of U.S. flags which are unfit for display. The preferred method for disposal (known as retirement) is burning.
The initial retirement ceremony will take place at West Haven Fire Headquarters, 366 Elm Street starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 9
This will be the first ceremony to be conducted by the WHFD with additional ceremonies conducted as needed throughout the year. The formal U.S. flag retirement ceremony will be conducted by Department Chief James P. O’Brien. Dignitaries, veterans, and other guests are invited to witness the ceremony.