ANNANDALE, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Hunterdon County Clerk Mary H. Melfi and Sheriff Fred Brown attended the Marine Corps League Detachment #927 Hunterdon County Bulldogs’ bi-annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Hunterdon County Emergency Services Training Center in Annandale.
The Ceremony of Final Tribute for the American Flag honors worn and damaged flags that are no longer suitable for display and must be retired with dignity. The Marine Corps League conducts the ceremony twice each year, typically around Flag Day in June and Veterans Day in November.
Melfi and Brown were joined by Hunterdon County Veterans Service Officer Rich Booth in recognizing the significance of the ceremony and the tradition maintained by the Bulldogs and community volunteers.
“The flag represents the values and freedoms that define our nation, and seeing it honored with such dignity is deeply meaningful,” Melfi said. “I want to thank the Marine Corps League Bulldogs for their continued commitment to preserving this tradition and for providing our community with an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of service and sacrifice.”
Formal flag retirement ceremonies became a longstanding tradition among veterans, scouting and patriotic organizations following a 1937 resolution adopted by the American Legion.
Seven years ago, the Hunterdon County Bulldogs refurbished two retired U.S. Postal Service mailboxes and converted them into flag drop-off locations where residents can deposit American flags for proper retirement.
The drop-off boxes are located at the Headquarters Library, 314 Route 12 in Raritan Township, and the North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton.
Melfi also thanked staff at the Hunterdon County Emergency Services Training Center for helping facilitate the ceremony and recognized the Clinton Township Fire Department for its continued support.
