Respect and a Final Salute: Brownsboro Cadet Helps Retire Worn Flags in Tyler

Community News · Flag Retirement Ceremony

Respect and a Final Salute: Brownsboro Cadet Helps Retire Worn Flags in Tyler

Brownsboro’s Carlee Burgess joined fellow Civil Air Patrol cadets and VFW Post 1799 to lay 28 worn flags to rest, a tradition any family in Brownsboro or Chandler can take part in.

By James Burgess · Kickapoo Kolache · Ceremony Oct. 3, 2026

Disclosure: Cadet Burgess is the editor’s daughter.

Four Civil Air Patrol cadets in dress uniform and white gloves hold the Texas and U.S. flags and rifles at attention, with VFW Post 1799 Commander Paul Gray beside a wooden podium — Figure 1: VFW Post 1799 Commander Paul Gray at the podium as the Civil Air Patrol color guard stands at attention with the Texas and U.S. flags.Photo courtesy VFW Post 1799.

TYLER, Texas — A Brownsboro cadet was among the young people who stood beneath cloudy skies in South Tyler on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, as worn American flags were laid to rest. The weather was somber, with cloudy skies and a few sprinkles at most, but respect and pride were high. Cadet Airman First Class Carlee Burgess of Brownsboro and her fellow Civil Air Patrol cadets stood in uniform beside members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, paying respect to all who have served and fought for the colors.

Fourteen cadets from the TX-085 Tyler Composite Squadron took part. The squadron’s commander, 1st Lt. Trenton Klaus, was there, and the cadets were led by 1st Lt. Tarisa Klaus, the squadron’s Deputy Commander for Cadets (DCC). The ceremony was held with VFW Carl Webb Post 1799 at the post’s canteen, 14391 Rhones Quarter Road, with a 2 p.m. start announced by the post.

“I wanted our cadets to understand that respect for our flag is something we practice through our actions. Sharing this ceremony with veterans gives them the opportunity to hear their stories, build friendships, and understand why this tradition matters,” said 1st Lt. Tarisa Klaus.

“We hope our cadets and their families leave with pride in what these young people contribute to our community. Their service honors the generations before them and prepares them to carry that responsibility forward,” said 1st Lt. Trenton Klaus.

The guest speaker was Coby Dillard, director of military and veterans affairs at The University of Texas at Tyler and a Navy veteran.

A day that began with training

The day started at the squadron’s home off Dixie Drive at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, where the cadets trained before heading to the ceremony. Civil Air Patrol is the volunteer, civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Its cadet program is open to young people ages 12 to 18, and it builds leadership, confidence and character through hands-on learning, aerospace education and community service. The Tyler squadron’s cadets meet on Tuesday evenings at the airport, and young people from Brownsboro and Chandler can join.

Cadet Airman First Class Carlee Burgess said: “We learned the way to properly respect, treat and retire the flags. It was a moving experience that allowed you to give thanks to all who have served under the banner of freedom.”

Laying the colors to rest

Folded flags waited on a table beside the cadets, and then they were placed in the fire. In all, the ceremony laid 28 worn flags to rest. Post Commander Paul Gray said: “The flag represents the greatness of America, 250 years strong; it represents generations of past who served to protect and defend her. We believe in teaching and promoting the dignity and honor the past generations deserve by treating the flag the same. I’ve personally been very impressed with the discipline of the cadets of Tyler 085 Composite Squadron and the VFW fully supports them.”

Keeping the fire safe and under control was the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department, which was on site providing fire control. Thank you, Noonday firefighters, for standing watch over such a quiet and important job.

Cadets from the squadron stood in formation under cloudy skies.

Flames rise from a round steel fire pit while a cadet in uniform and VFW Post 1799 Commander Paul Gray stand behind it, with a blue VFW tent and onlookers in the background — Figure 2: Flags burn in a fire pit as a cadet and VFW Post 1799 Commander Paul Gray stand behind it during the ceremony in South Tyler.Photo by 1st Lt. Tarisa Klaus.

A cadet in white gloves holds a folded flag beside the burning fire pit, with a table of folded flags and cadets in formation behind and VFW members in caps in the foreground — Figure 3: A cadet in white gloves holds a folded flag beside the fire as other cadets stand in formation and VFW members look on.Photo courtesy VFW Post 1799.

1st Lt. Trenton Klaus and a cadet salute beside the burning fire pit in front of a red fire engine marked E166 — Figure 4: 1st Lt. Trenton Klaus, commander of the TX-085 Tyler Composite Squadron, and a cadet salute as the flags burn. Behind them is a Noonday Volunteer Fire Department engine, E166.Photo courtesy VFW Post 1799.

Why we retire a flag

Many of us were never taught what to do with a faded flag, and that is perfectly all right. The answer is simple, and neighbors in Brownsboro and Chandler can do it too.

The U.S. Flag Code says a flag that is “no longer a fitting emblem for display” should be “destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning” (4 U.S. Code § 8(k)). The American Legion describes an unserviceable flag as one that is torn, worn, tattered, frayed or faded. A flag that simply touched the ground does not have to be retired. If it can be cleaned or mended and still looks right, it can keep flying.

Why fire? Burning has long been the approved method. The American Legion has promoted public retirement ceremonies since 1937, and the Boy Scouts handbook says a worn flag should be burned completely to ashes with dignity and respect. The point is not to destroy the flag. It is to return it with honor instead of tossing it out with the trash, which the Army notes is considered disrespectful.

The VFW teaches these steps: fold the flag in its customary manner, place it on a fairly large fire that will burn it completely, stand at attention, salute, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and share a brief silence. When the flag is fully consumed, the fire is put out safely and the ashes are buried, all within local fire codes. That is where a fire crew earns its thanks.

One caution: most flags sold today are nylon or polyester. The American Legion says those are hard to burn and can release harmful gases, so please do not burn a synthetic flag at home. Ask a VFW or American Legion post, or a licensed disposal service. Scouting guidance also lists nylon recycling as an acceptable path.

A lesson no classroom could give

For the cadets, it was learning by doing: respect is something you practice, even on a somber, cloudy day, and a flag at the end of its service still deserves a salute. The worn flags that came to South Tyler did not end up in a trash can. They were folded, honored and retired by people who care, including some of the youngest members of our community. Any family in Brownsboro or Chandler can follow the same path, because the post welcomed the whole community and a worn flag can be brought to the people who handle it with care.

Youth opportunity: Civil Air Patrol cadets in Tyler

Kickapoo Kolache’s view: the TX-085 Tyler Composite Squadron is a great organization for youth development, and it is open to young people from both Chandler and Brownsboro.

Who can join: cadets ages 12 to 18. No prior aviation experience or military service is required (Civil Air Patrol).
What cadets do: build leadership skills, confidence and character through hands-on experiences, mentorship, aerospace education and service.
Time: it starts with one evening a week. The squadron meets on Tuesday evenings.
Where: 1594 Dixie Drive, Tyler, TX 75704, at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.
Safety: every member completes Cadet Protection training, and adults undergo a federal background check before any contact with cadets (cadetsafety.com).
To learn more: local.gocivilairpatrol.com/tx085, or contact squadron commander 1st Lt. Trenton Klaus at Trenton.Klaus@txwg.cap.gov.

How to retire a flag respectfully

Check that it is truly worn out. A flag that is torn, frayed, tattered or badly faded is no longer a fitting emblem for display (U.S. Flag Code, 4 U.S.C. § 8). If it only needs washing or mending, it can keep flying.
Keep it off the ground. The Flag Code says the flag should never touch anything beneath it.
Never put it in the trash. Dignified retirement, “preferably by burning,” is what the Flag Code asks for.
Fold it in the customary triangle, with only the blue field showing. The Flag Code does not require a fold, but this is the tradition the VFW follows.
Take it to people who do this every year. VFW posts, American Legion posts and Scout troops hold retirement ceremonies, often around Flag Day (June 14).
Check what it is made of. Most flags today are nylon or polyester, which can release harmful gases when burned. Ask a post first, or use a nylon recycling option or a licensed disposal service.
If you hold your own small ceremony with a cotton flag, use a fire large enough to burn it completely, salute, say the Pledge or share a moment of silence, put the fire out safely, bury the ashes, and follow local fire codes. Do it quietly so it is not mistaken for a protest.