VFW Posts 10708 and 9342 lay a wreath in memory of the fallen and retire U.S. flags during a ceremonial flag burning
U.S. Army Story by Staff Sgt. Kyle Larsen
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
“The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.”
Upon the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 10708, Stork Barracks, Illesheim, Germany, and Post 9342 of Ansbach, Germany, laid a wreath in honor of all those who paid the ultimate price while defending the freedom of the United States while serving in the Armed Forces.
Laying the wreath upon that 11th hour at the memorial park on Stork Barracks, Nov. 11, 2019, signified the signing of the armistice by the Allied powers and Germany at Rethondes, France, at 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. This agreement ultimately marked the end of WWI, as both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
This day would be called Armistice Day until the mid-1950s, when various veterans’ groups persuaded Congress to rename it Veteran’s Day to recognize all those who have served in the Armed Forces, past and present.
“The history of today has become more of a day to honor the living who served in the Armed Forces, though we still recognize those who have passed,” said Dwight Johnson, VFW Post 9342 commander. “Today we honor all service members, past and present, and the sacrifices they have made.”
This bond was signified, as active duty service members stationed at Stork Barracks and retired veterans from the VFW gathered in the brisk German air for the wreath laying and flag burning ceremony.
As Dale Nagan, the VFW Post 10708 adjutant, began reading the history of Veteran’s Day to those who gathered in the small courtyard, Norbert Isaak, the Post 10708 commander, placed the large wreath on a stand in front of the memorial stone, which reads: To Our Fallen Comrades. As Nagan continued speaking on the significance of the day, Isaak donned his flawless white gloves, lifting his bugle to the sky.
“Laying the wreath was to remember those who gave their lives for us,” said Isaak, a 30-year combat veteran. “We lay it twice a year, during Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, to honor those who have either passed away after their service was done, or who died in combat.”
As the sound of Taps carried through the narrow streets, Nagan belted commands and those in attendance faced the wreath rendering crisp salutes in honor of the fallen. Once the bugle call concluded, the salutes were lowered and the flags retired to the back of the VFW’s pickup truck. The congregation then moved to the VFW building for an official flag burning ceremony held in accordance with United States law.
“It’s written by law, how to dispose of a flag,” said Isaak. “An unserviceable flags are to be burnt. What’s supposed to happen, is that after they are burnt into ashes, the ashes are collected and buried on holy ground, such as a cemetery.”
The VFW is the largest and oldest war veterans’ service organization and remains a staple of the military community, with over 6,200 chapters worldwide, comprised of approximately 1.6 million members, all of whom are Veterans who served in support of foreign operations.
For more information on the VFW, contact Dwight Johnson at johnsondw2010@yahoo.com, or Norbert Isaak at countryanyway@hotmail.com.