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Boy Scouts troop in Phoenix retire more than a dozen US flags on Veterans Day

Posted at 10:19 PM, Nov 11, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-12 23:59:28-05

On a quiet night at North Mountain Park, and with a salute, a group of Boy Scouts retired more than a dozen American flags on Veterans Day. 

Boy Scout Troop 329 followed U.S. Flag Code by taking more than a dozen flags, which they took in over the course of this year, and put them into a fire. The flags were tattered or torn, with one even being found in the trash. 

"They're going to remember this moment 30 years from now, 40 years from now," said Assistant Scout Master Roger Ottaway. "They're going to reflect back on this moment, and they're going to remember what we did."

Among the Boy Scouts who led the ceremony was 13-year-old Andrew Guzman.

"It's more to respect the flag, it has such an important meaning to our country," Guzman said. 

According to U.S. Flag Code:

The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. 

Among those in attendance was Renny Domini, a Veteran who served in the military in the 1960s.

Domini said the American flag is of utmost importance to him. 

"It means an awful lot," he said. "I get very frustrated and upset when I hear people desecrate the flag."

Boy Scout Troop 329 successfully retired 15 flags Saturday night.