A flag retirement ceremony took place at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 308 Saturday, June 14, on Flag Day, where collections of tattered American flags were honorably retired.

“A flag is retired when it has served its duty,” said VFW Men’s Auxiliary President Robert Arnold. “The ceremony is a respectful, solemn way to say goodbye to an old friend.”

This year, residents and local businesses donated more than 4,000 retired flags, said VFW member Donna Monteleone Randle. Many of the retired flags also came from local cemeteries. Each year, the Wednesday before Memorial Day, members of the VFW Post 308 replace flags at cemeteries for those who have served in the military.

“This year more than 1,055 flags were personally replaced by members of this post,” said Ms Monteleone Randle.

“This is an act of love to the veterans,” said Connecticut State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, who attended the ceremony. Also in attendance was Newtown Boy Scout Troop 270 member Colton Stergue, who helped retire the flags and represented his troop.

For those who wish to donate retired flags, there is a red, white, and blue mailbox outside of the VFW Post 308 building, which is located at 18 Tinkerfield Road, where residents can drop off flags. The mailbox is there throughout the year.