Respectfully Retiring Flags at Schramka-Borgwardt

Everything has a life, including our nation's flags.

Proud symbols that they are, upright and beautiful, they can't endure the wind through every season without showing their age. Like virtually everything, they become tattered and threadbare, and we encourage locals to turn them over to us throughout the year. There's a protocol for disposing them properly and we take it seriously.

Last weekend we were joined by American Legion Post 416 members, who lent us their assistance and gave us a lesson in civics. We have much to be grateful for in our freedom-loving nation.

Greendale American Legion Post 416 member, Jim Baranczyk, lead the ceremony, followed by a four-gun salute and the live playing of "Taps" by Pastor Richard Andrews.

Funeral Director Tracy Schessow lead the burning, with several firefighters from the Hales Corners Fire Department standing by. Others in attendance from Schramka Funeral Home were event organizer Jacquie Andrews, Sandy Carlson-Kaye, Tom and Janine Secora, Debra Wilson, and Kelly Teague.

There were over 30 people in attendance this year. After the ceremony, we had fellowship and lunch, catered by Bev's Hospitality Catering. This year we had over twice as many retired flags brought to us!

Each year at Schramka-Borgwardt Funeral Home , we host this modest exercise in respecting our flags by retiring them with the hopes and solemnity enshrined in them. We are proud of our country and its ideals, even when we fall short of them.

There's always great power in the ceremony, and it's important to make meaning, tell our important stories and take our emotions further in honor of country and kin. We believe it is these acts that make us uniquely American.

Schramka Funeral Homes provide personalized funeral , cremation and memorial services . We respect all faiths and traditions. We bring dignity to life and we find ways to help family and friends say goodbye. We invite you to browse our website or reach us to learn more.