Celebrate Flag Day June 14 and retire Old Glory with respect

June 14 is Flag Day in the United States.  It celebrates the adoption of the United States flag by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. This officially replaced the British symbols of the Grand Union flag with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes – one for each state.  The United States Army also celebrates its 1775 birth on June 14.

In commemoration of Flag Day, and just in time to celebrate Independence Day with style, take a good look at your current flag. If the American Flag flying at your home or business is faded, torn, tattered or frayed, then it should be replaced and no longer displayed. 

Prince William area residents and businesses can take their old flags to special collection bins at the Prince William Landfill or the Balls Ford Road Compost Facility to be properly retired. The Boy Scouts in our area with the help of other civic groups like VFW and American Legion and the Prince William County Solid Waste Division will make sure that “the Stars and Stripes” gets retired with the respect it deserves. 

David Byrne, Occoquan District Scout Master and flag center initiator urges, “Please do not throw our flag in the trash. Fold it neatly and bring it to one of the Flag Collection Centers during the facilities’ normal operating hours.”

The Prince William County Landfill is open Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The Balls Ford Road Compost Facility is open Monday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Visit http://www.pwcgov.org/trashandrecycling for holiday closings and other Solid Waste programs and services.