Retiring the United States Flag This ceremony was conducted on April 12, 2003 during the Family Outing at Pickett State Park.   There is a time when the United States flag needs to be retired. When a flag has become discolored, fraid, or torn; a new flag will take its' place. The old flag is then "retired" with great respect, honoring our nation's flag. A flag can not just be thrown away, it must be incinerated. This does not mean you can just throw it on a fire. First the flag must be prepared. When a flag is cut into pieces, it is no longer a flag and it will burn more completely. The flag must be cut (with scissors or shears) in a proper way, it can not be torn. The corners of the flag should be taken and the flag should be stretched over a table. The flag is then cut in half, vertically, without cutting the blue field. This represents the union of the fifty states and the union should never be broken. Next, place the two halves together and cut the flag in half horizontally. Now the flag is in four pieces with the blue star field intact. While the flag is being cut, a wood fire should be prepared. Once the flag pieces and fire are ready, the ceremony can begin. The Scouts will watch over the fire until ALL traces of the flag are gone. The fire is then extinguished and the ashes are buried.