Theodosia Masons plan 4th annual ceremony for flag retirement
Sampson Masonic Lodge #298 in Theodosia will conduct its fourth annual American flag retirement ceremony beginning at noon Saturday, June 30, at the lodge located on Highway 160 next to Lutie School.
Missouri State Sen. Mike Cunningham will be the keynote speaker. Girl Scouts from Troop #71227 in Gainesville have been preparing unserviceable flags for the formal part of the retirement ceremony and will have a significant role in the proceedings, organizers said, as will the Junior Air Force ROTC from Branson High School. An Army color guard is scheduled to help open and close the event.
Other organizations that will participate in the ceremony or be present for it include VFW Post #5366 and AMVETS Post #154 from Isabella, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association chapter 4-12 from Gaines-ville, the Ozark County Honor Guard, the Ozark County Sheriff’s Depart-ment and the Theodosia Area Volunteer Fire Department.
Worn and unserviceable American Flags can be dropped off at the Masonic Lodge in Theodosia, at the VFW Post on HH Highway in Isabella or at the Theodosia branch of Century Bank of the Ozarks. The Masons also welcome those attending to bring flags to the event and, if desired, dedicate them to loved ones, family members, military units or past and present members of the U.S. military before the flags are placed in the retirement fires, said Len Modlinski, who will serve as master of ceremonies.
He added, “Everyone is invited to attend and show respect for the flag of our great nation.”