Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown joins Marine Corps League for flag retirement ceremony
HUNTERDON COUNTY, N.J. — Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown and Veterans Service Officer Rich Booth joined the Marine Corps League’s Bi-Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony on Monday at the Emergency Services Training Center, where hundreds of American flags were respectfully retired in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code.
The ceremony, hosted by the Marine Corps League Detachment #927 — the Hunterdon County Bulldogs — featured a reading of My Name Is Old Glory by Flag Committee Chair Sonya Sellers, followed by the playing of Taps and the placement of worn flags into embers for their final tribute.
“It is our duty to ensure that our nation’s flag is retired with the dignity and respect it deserves,” Brown said. “The Bulldogs have upheld this tradition for many years now, offering a meaningful way to honor the symbol of our country’s freedom. This evening, an incredible number of flags were retired, receiving an appropriate and final tribute in accordance with tradition.”
The flag retirement ritual, which dates back to 1937, serves as an important tradition for veterans, scouts and patriotic organizations. The Hunterdon County Bulldogs maintain flag drop-off boxes at the Headquarters Library on Route 12 in Raritan Township and the North County Branch Library on Halstead Street in Clinton for residents to contribute flags for proper disposal.
Sheriff Brown thanked the Hunterdon County Training Center staff and the Town of Clinton Fire Department for their assistance in making the event a success.
