By Greg Ellison, Staff Writer

(Nov. 23, 2017) Hundreds of American flags went out in a blaze of glory during a flag retirement ceremony conducted by local scouts at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines last Saturday.

Members of Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack #261 from Ocean City placed worn and torn Stars and Stripes in a flaming pit for a respectful burning in accordance with U.S. Flag Code.

Joerg Leinemann, troop #261 advancement committee chairman, said the scouts sending flags up in flames is a reverent occasion.

“We’re going to walk up … salute the flag [and] show it with dignity,” he said. “Then we’re going to burn it.”

Worn U.S. flags were collected at American Legion Posts #166 in Ocean City, #123 and #231 in Berlin, as well as the Ocean Pines Community Center. Assisting with the ceremony were Ocean Pines Public Works and the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Company.

Cubmaster Nick Busko and Scoutmaster Ken Nichols directed their respective groups. The flag retirement ceremony, which has been held at the veterans’ memorial since it opened in 2005, has been held locally for decades, Nichols said.

“For years, we did it on our own with the Ocean Pines Fire Cadets,” he said.

Boy Scout Troop #261 started in 1952 with the assistance of American Legion Post #166 in Ocean City, Leinemann said.

“The American Legion has been our sponsor since 1952,” he said. “We’ve been tied together since the very beginning.”

In addition to bags filled with retired flags awaiting incineration, a trio of flags whose owners have recently died were retired first.

“People have given us the flag and said this person has passed away within the last six months,” he said. “This was the flag that was flown at their house could you please show it some dignity.”

Leinemann also said the Scouts remove white stars from cloth flags to produce commemorative keepsakes.

“We’re going to take them to our events and hand them out to veterans,” he said.

The stars are attached to a notecard that reads in part, “the sun and wind have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are remembered.”

Leinemann, who became an Eagle Scout in 1974, has maintained his association with the local troop, which holds regular meetings at the Ocean City Lions Club in West Ocean City.

“It’s Ocean City’s original Boy Scout troop,” he said. “It’s just a remarkable set of boys.”