AEDC Honor Guard conducts flag retirement services

The April 19 flag retirement ceremony at Crockett Cove on Arnold Air Force Base was led by 1st Lt. Joshua Coughenour, Honor Guard Commander, shown standing near the dock, and 1st Lt. Chance Johnson, Detail Commander, back row center. Fellow Guardsmen (left to right) 2nd Lt. Stuart Coston, 2nd Lt. Carlin Lucente and Staff Sgt. Thomas Starling, stand at attention as they pay their final respects to the colors. (Photo by Capt. Sarah Kress)

AEDC Honor Guard conducts flag retirement services

Published May 13, 2014
By Vicki Peters, AEDC Contributing Writer
AEDC/PA

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. -- On April 19, Arnold Engineering Development Complex's (AEDC) Honor Guard had the privilege of retiring more than 30 U.S. flags from service.

Staff Sgt. Thomas Starling stated that though most people may not be aware of it, retiring unserviceable flags from service is one of the Honor Guard's duties.

"It's not too often you see the Arnold Air Force Base Honor Guard performing details on base, other than the posting of colors at base ceremonies," he said.

Starling, a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of AEDC's Honor Guard, explained that the flags were destroyed by fire in a dignified manner following proper protocol.

"It's an honor to be part of a ceremony that shows both respect and gratitude toward the emblem of our nation, and all those who have served to defend Old Glory," Starling said.

He explained that this large number of flags included several 12- by 18-foot flags that have flown outside of the Administration and Engineering (A&E) Building on base as well as unserviceable flags from outside agencies and community members and from collection boxes placed in the Arnold Village and the A&E Building.