TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Flag Day, memorializing the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by the Second Continental Congress, is memorialized each year by veteran organizations across the country. In the Town of Poughkeepsie, the VFW Post 170 held a solemn ceremony to retire three previous flags flown at the post, by burning them.
The United States Army also celebrates its birthday on June 14. The American Continental Army was authorized by Congress on June 14, 1775.
At the VFW Post 170, members gathered together for a reading of “I am Your Flag” by Past-Commander Bernie Herzfeld. After the reading, the three flags, carried by Past-Commander David Gunn were escorted to a burn barrel where the flags received one final salute before being retired into the flames.
The members also burned several other worn and tattered flags that had been deposited in a collection box on the VFW grounds by the community. The VFW Post 170 collection box is available to anyone wishing to dispose of worn American flags and can be found in the parking lot of Post 170 at 1 Violet Avenue in Poughkeepsie.
