Turley Publications photo by Cristy Bertini

Veterans (L to r) Michael Zugrovich, 92, (Army Air Corp.), Bernice Robblee, 94, (Air Force) and Domenic Pasto, 81, (Army, Korean War) attended the ceremony with fellow residents of Quaboag on the Common.

Quaboag on the Common holds flag retirement ceremony

By Cristy Bertini

Turley Publications Correspondent

WEST BROOKFIELD – Army Air Corp. Veteran Michael Zugrovich wipes tears from his eyes as he watches the American flag disappear in the fire.

He, along with fellow veterans and residents Bernice Robblee and Domenic Pasto attended the flag retirement ceremony held at Quaboag on the Common on June 17.

The North Brookfield Boy Scout Troop 257 conducted the ceremony.

Scout Master Bob Pariseau began the ceremony. “A flag is an honored symbol of the nation’s unity. Its hopes, achievements, glory and high resolve. The flag of the United States of America is such a symbol. A symbol of freedom. Of freedoms bravely fought for and hardly won. Of protection under the Constitution of the rights and privileges of all Americans. Of promises of fulfillment of all of their hopes, principles and ideals.”

According to Pariseau, the correct way to retire an old flag is to cut the flag into two pieces of cloth, separating the blue field of stars from the red and white stripes. The pieces of cloth are then burned until they have been completely turned into ash.

He said “This is not a ‘flag burning’, but rather a flag retirement. A solemn ceremony to honor a worn symbol of the United States of America.”

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited to the flags for the last time before they were retired.