Because of that deep meaning, it can feel unsettling when a flag becomes worn, faded, or frayed from years of weather and sunlight. Almost everyone eventually faces the same question: What’s the proper way to retire an old American flag?
Many people instinctively feel that tossing a flag in the trash simply isn’t right, and they’re correct. For more than a century, respectful retirement has been a key part of American flag etiquette. Taking a moment to handle that task with care shows gratitude for everything the symbol has stood for.
