Photo taken at ceremony

John Ronkartz made the News in Sunday's Progress Index Newspaper dated June 17, 2007. John has been one of the clubs most active and valuable members since joining. You may not know , but John is a retired UH-1 Helicopter Company First Sergeant and also a color guard commander for the American Legion Post 284 in Colonial Heights. I hope you will enjoy reading this article about disposal of the American Flag, when no longer useable. He loves his country and knows the value of life and what's important in living it. We are proud to say he is a member of SKC. "We Salute You John!"

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — On Thursday evening, June 14, American Legion Post 284 held a solemn ceremony to destroy worn American flags. Legionnaires and citizens gathered in the parking lot across from the legion’s headquarters on Springdale Road to watch.

The flag detail of color guard commander John Ronkartz, George Ahrend and Jim Althouse marched in a triangle, requesting that two vice commanders and then Post Commander Don Dobrick inspect the flags and permit their disposal. Ronkartz explained that the flags had been flown over the graves of fallen soldiers and displayed in public, having been used respectfully.

“We have presented here these flags of our country which have been inspected and condemned as unserviceable. They have reached their present state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love,” Dobrick read. “Let these faded flags of our country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new flags of the same size and kind.”

The detail marched back to a low fire in a metal barrel before hearing a prayer.

Ronkartz accepted the first folded flag from Mark Bell of Boy Scout Troop 160. As the legionnaires and onlookers stood at attention, Ronkartz delicately dipped the corner of the flag into a tray of kerosene, then handed it to Ahrend, who fed it into the flames. The detail burned around 10 flags, the flames licking at their hands as they dropped each flag into the barrel.

It was the first year the Colonial Heights post performed the ceremony on Flag Day, which is the standard, said Althouse. The ceremony was adopted by the American Legion in 1937 as a proper way to dispose of worn flags.

“This is ceremonial,” Althouse said. “We take in anywhere from 350 to 400 flags” during the year.

Ahrend said that nylon flags, which are made of petroleum and pollute if burned, are buried in a special section of the city landfill.

Legionnaire Jeff Constantine said involving local Boy Scouts promotes “Americanism and patriotism” within their ranks.

“It’s a nice ceremony. Very solemn,” Constantine added.

Later that evening, Vice Commander Tony Morgan was promoted to replace Dobrick as commander during the legion’s meeting.

• Patrick Kane may be reached at 722-5155 or pkane@progress-index.com.