RESERVE — Once an American flag is old, torn and the colors have faded it must be disposed of in a respectful manner. In order to retire a flag it must be burned and the ashes buried.

Benny Robichaux, sergeant at-arms for American Legion Post 383, is excited to invite the community to a flag retirement ceremony Saturday, where organizers hope to teach residents more about the American flag and also feed those in need in St. John by asking those who attend to bring a non-perishable food item for St. John Ministry of Care.

Residents that attend are also asked to give a $1 donation that goes towards American Legion programs. Those who donate are entered for a change to win a $100 gift card from Walmart.

The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve. American Legion Post 383, VFW Post 3337, local Boy and Eagle Scouts, along with the St. John Young Marines, are participating in the event honoring our country’s most honored flag. One flag is going to represent all of the flags that are going to be retired. The chosen flag will be taken apart stripe by stripe by the Boy Scouts to be burned. After the stripes, the field of blue will be cut and then the stars.

“I probably have two 55 gallon drums full of flags,” Robichaux said. “I haven’t counted all of them yet. Most of them came out the VFW collection box, but some also came from other organizations. We have the state police bringing some out Saturday morning and we’re asking all of the citizens to bring some.”

Robichaux said he wants the community to know what the American flag really costs other than dollars and cents.

“It’s been paid for in service and in blood, sweat and tears,” he said. “All that goes into the history of the flag.”

Van Bordelon, events chairman for Boy Scout Troop 406 out of LaPlace, is excited to have his troop members participate.

“I think we folded about 80 flags at our last meeting in preparation for the ceremony,” Bordelon said.

Having his troop participate in the flag retirement means a lot to Bordelon, adding no less then 20 members are participating.

“It’s a way to teach the boys to respect the flag,” he said. “They will be able to gauge the reaction of the crowd. When they see older men standing in the crowd with tears going down their cheeks, they will understand the significance of the flag. People should come out to show reverence to the Veterans and the flag that they fought for and the meaning behind it.”

Some of the flags will be given to the Boy Scouts to retire at camp, which gives the boys experience, and the rest will be brought to a crematorium and the ashes given to the Legion for burial.