Veterans respectfully dispose of flags

GREEN BAY - On Tuesday night, the night before Veterans Day, local veterans properly disposed of more than a thousand old American flags.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars organization says the proper way to get rid of an old flag is to burn it. The Green bay post commander says too many people burn the American flag out of spite, when it is burned with a ceremony, the flag gets an "honorable retirement."

The local American Legion post burns flags a couple of times a year, and always around Veteran's Day.

"Remember all the veterans that not only died fighting for our country but the ones that still remain, the disabled veterans, the ones that are suffering from traumatic syndromes" said Keith Garland, commander of Green Bay American Legion Post #11. "Respect the flag because (if) you respect the flag, you respect the soldiers."

The Green Bay Exchange Club, North Shore Bank, and a local boy scout troop helped in the flag collection and burning.