Flag Retirement Ceremony

The CCI Color Guard led in the parade of nearly 100 scouts at the start of the retirement ceremony.

The Boy Scouts received a new flag for use at the stadium flagpole. The flag was delivered by Kern County Fire Captain Guy Lawrence who, with flag in hand, was lowered down by hoist from Kern Fire Helicopter 408 and then handed over the flag to the awaiting Boy Scout Color Guard.

The Boy Scouts carry the flag to the fire pit where it is unfurled and displayed one last time. Folded now in half, the scouts lower the flag into the flames and, as a final show of respect, salute the flag one last time. This process is repeated until all the flags are respectfully retired.

The CCI Color Guard led in the parade of nearly 100 scouts at the start of the retiring ceremony.

Each of the nearly 500 flags were unpacked and refolded prior to the retiring ceremony.

This year special honors were given to it being the 75th anniversary of the landings in Normandy France.

As the retirement ceremony begins each flag is handed over from a Cub Scout to a Boy Scout. With a salute between the two the Boy Scout will turn and carry the flag to the fire pit.

The Boy Scouts carry the flag to the fire pit where it is unfurled and displayed one last time. Folded now in half, the scouts lower the flag into the flames and, as a final show of respect, salute the flag one last time. This process is repeated until all the flags are respectfully retired.

Helicopter 408 landed at the close of the ceremony and was open for public inspection.