PORT LUDLOW — An unconventional Memorial Day celebration will take place today, when a group of veterans conduct a flag disposal ceremony designed to respectfully retire worn U.S. flags.
“A lot of people don’t know, but there is a way to properly do this,” said Capt. Jerry Conover, who founded the annual ceremony 10 years ago.
“They don’t know what to do with a flag that is no longer in good enough shape to be flown.”
The ceremony — which will begin at 11 a.m. at the Port Ludlow Bay Club, 120 Spinnaker Place — will be the last for the loosely organized group of volunteers, all of whom are getting older, Conover said.
“I need a cane to walk, and for many of us, it is hard to stand through the entire ceremony,” he said.
The public is invited to bring unserviceable flags that are no longer fit for display.
Conover and other veterans have conducted the ceremonies since a widow approached him about what to do with her husband’s flag.
Conover offered to conduct the ceremony but thought that other people may have worn and tattered flags they did not know what to do with.
He announced the ceremony, and about 40 other flags were brought to the first event.
This number has been consistent every year, and Conover estimates that he has disposed of almost 500 flags in that time.
As it has been a rewarding vocation, he said, while announcing this month that it would be his last year.
“I’m a patriot, “ said Conover, 81. “I served for 38 years, and I’m disabled, but no matter what I do, it is never good enough to pay back what my country has done for me.”
Among the volunteers who have helped with the service in the last decade are Tink Green, Peter Josephs, Tom Lohrey, Russ Reed, Jim Richards, Tom Carter as well as Conover.
“But, we are all getting old,” Conover said.
While it is too soon to say, Conover said Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue personnel have expressed some interest in continuing the ceremony.
The process for flag disposal is a detailed ritual.
Each flag may be dedicated to a person, place or event — for instance, to a deceased military acquaintance or family member.
The flags are all put on a table, from which a family member picks up a flag and hands it to Conover, who announces the dedication.
Conover then hands the flag to a Marine in Dress Blues, who in turn hands it to a fireman who then places it in a fire pit.
This process is repeated for each flag.
“It’s important that everyone be recognized,” Conover said.
After the fire burns out, the ashes are spread.
The colors will be presented by Mike Morgan, and the guest Marines will fly the U.S. flag at half-mast.
As tradition dictates, a bagpiper — in this case Nancy Frederick of Port Townsend — will perform at the end of the ceremony.
She also will play the bagpipes before the choral group The Independents sings “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“It is with great trepidation we execute our final salute and it is expected we will no longer have this event in the order we have enjoyed it,” Conover said.
“It may be a small event in the community, but we were able to show off our pride in our heritage.”
For more information, phone Conover at 360-437-0537 or Morgan at 360-437-2008.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
