One day after Veterans Day, we note our admiration and respect for the work of the American Legions, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other related military and veterans organizations. In October, the Fredonia legion Post 59 continued an important and significant tradition of the flag burning ceremony on Chautauqua Street.

A flag is no longer usable if it is tattered, worn, faded or dirty beyond being able to be flown respectfully. The U.S. Flag Code allows for the dignified burning of a flag that has reached the end of its usable life. The local American Legion has collected such flags for many years in order to host flag retirement ceremonies once or twice a year.

“(The flag) represents the police, those people who rush in, who keep us safe, who are there if we have problems,” said Jasen Erick, post commander. “It represents firemen, those who rush into burning homes and rush into any kind of catastrophe in the county or the state and take care of it. The flag represents those EMS workers, who make sure that we have the best care that we can possibly have. The flag represents people of all races, both male and female, and people of all beliefs.”

That ceremony is a proper send off. Our community is proud of all the work dedicated to our nation and those who served and fought for our freedoms.