High Valley Post No. 4060 and American Legion Post 43 to Honor the Stars and Stripes in a Flag Day Retirement Ceremony
By Tracy Christopher on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION — 10 AM — In a tribute to the enduring spirit of the American flag, members of VFW High Valley Post No. 4060 and American Legion Post 43 will gather once again this Flag Day to give a respectful and ceremonial farewell to Old Glory. Dozens of weathered and tattered flags were retired through fire, the only method sanctioned by the United States Flag Code for the disposal of unserviceable flags.
Held under the early summer sky in Union, the ceremony is marked by reverence, reflection, and deep patriotic pride. Community members are invited to stand beside veterans, and local families to watch—each flicker as a symbol of the freedoms protected under the red, white, and blue.
Post members will step forward one at a time, presenting worn American flags to the ceremonial fire. The crackle of burning fabric was accompanied by moments of silence and quiet remembrance. These flags had once flown over homes, porches, and places of honor—and their final moments were treated with the dignity their service warranted.
“The American flag is more than cloth and color. It’s a symbol of hope, sacrifice, and unity,” said one member of the post. “This ceremony reminds us all of the responsibility we share in protecting those values.”
Flag Day at High Valley Post No. 4060 is more than a tradition—it’s a testament to the Post’s mission of honoring veterans, educating the public, and preserving the legacy of service and sacrifice. The ceremony not only retired flags but reignited the community’s commitment to patriotism and civic duty.
Join the Post June 14th for a ceremony of remembrance and if you have any tattered and torn flags that need properly disposed of there is a flag drop off site at the Center for Human Development or the La Grande VA Clinic.
