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Members of American Legion Post 3 and Post 213 take part in the ceremony (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Cub Scout Steven Erekson lines up to dispose of a flag (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Post 3's Jimmy Fowler helps maintain safety during the ceremony (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Scout Quincy Overton disposes of a flag (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Scout Alyssa Erekson disposes of a flag (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Scouts look on during Saturday's ceremony (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Scout Jalinay Overton disposes of a flag (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Post 3 and Post 213 members look on during Saturday's ceremony (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Scouts and American Legion members prepare for Saturday's ceremony (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Scout Lillie Erekson and dad Mike Erekson prepare a flag for disposal (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Scout Wesley Cowan prepares a flag for disposal (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Scout Jalinay Overton prepares a flag for disposal (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Scouts and American Legion members prepare for Saturday's ceremony (Blake Bell | The Vicksburg Post).

Vicksburg’s two American Legion posts came together Saturday morning to hold a ceremony close to the hearts of most U.S. military veterans, while passing down the patriotic duty to a new generation.

Gathering at American Legion Allein Post 3 on Monroe Street, American Legion Tyner-Ford Post 213 joined in for the ceremony with the Legion-sponsored Scouts BSA Troop 3 to properly dispose of American flags while teaching the scouts both the “how” and the “why” of the ceremony.

“For the scouts, they learn through the ceremony the importance of showing respect to the flag,” Post 3 Judge Advocate and Troop 3 scout leader Richard Van Den Akker said. “The first part of the scout oath is duty to God and country and they learn that you’re not just going to throw (the flag) in the trash; you’re going to dispose of it properly.”

The scouts, along with members of both posts, properly disposed of a number of both collected and donated flags. Van Den Akker said anyone who would like to properly dispose of an American flag may do so by dropping it in the marked box in front of Post 3, located at 1712 Monroe Street in Vicksburg, and it will be added to the roster of flags scheduled to be retired at the post’s next ceremony.

“Having respect for the flag is an important part of citizenship, which is what we teach scouts,” he said.

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