Three American flags were formally retired during a ceremony held Wednesday, May 7, at the Henry County Veterans Retirement Center at Fair Haven Memorial Park. The event, which attracted veterans from Patrick County as well, marked the ceremonial opening of the county’s new flag retirement center, created to honor and respectfully dispose of flags that have served their time.
Debra Buchanan, Horsepasture District representative on the Henry County Board of Supervisors, thanked Wright Funeral Service & Crematory and the veteran service organizations whose contributions made the new center possible.
“Your generous donations, your support, including the purchasing of the flags, has made it possible to create a safe, respectful space where we can retire flags that have served our country with dignity,” Buchanan said. “Your contributions are a testament to the strength of our community and the shared commitment we all have to honor those who have served in the armed forces.”
Buchanan emphasized that the ceremony and the new center are about more than the physical act of flag disposal—they are about preserving tradition.
“For generations, the flag has symbolized freedom, bravery, and the enduring spirit of our nation,” she said. “The need to properly retire old, worn out flags is an essential part of showing our respect for those values.”
The retirement center, Buchanan said, is one more example of the community’s collective effort to ensure veterans and their families are treated with continued respect.
“For one, it offers an organized, dignified process for retiring our flags, ensuring that the tradition of respect and honor is maintained,” she said. “Beyond that, it will act as a gathering place—a symbol in our community for pride and patriotism.”
Buchanan added that the center is also intended to educate and inspire.
“This retirement center will have a positive impact on our local community by offering opportunities for local youth, civic groups, and veterans’ organizations to participate in flag retirement ceremonies and also education programs. It will foster a great sense of community, unity, and pride,” she said.
She concluded her remarks by reflecting on the deeper meaning behind the American flag.
“In addition to celebrating the flag, this ceremony also celebrates the values of sacrifice, dedication, and service it represents,” Buchanan said. “May this flag retirement center be a beacon of respect, patriotism, and pride for many years to come.”
Martinsville Mayor L.C. Jones echoed Buchanan’s sentiments, describing the event as a dignified way to dispose of flags and honor their symbolism.
“The flag retirement ceremony is a beautiful thing that allows the flags to be properly disposed of with grace and dignity,” Jones said. “All the individual companies and individuals who donated to make this thing possible, thank them and thank everything you guys are doing for our community.”
Scott Koebel, recruiting sales manager for WoodmenLife, explained the methods of proper flag retirement.
“There are two ways to retire and honor American flags—by fire or by burying it,” he said. “If you choose that route, that hole is deep, it’s six-feet like we bury our dead. We’re going to do ours by fire today.”
During the ceremony, the flags were carefully deconstructed. The red and white stripes were separated and distributed among attendees, who solemnly placed the red stripes into the fire first, followed by the white. The blue fields with stars were placed in last by members of the local Veterans Honor Guard.
Those in attendance stood in silence and saluted the flags as they burned, honoring their service to the nation.
