Temecula Valley Young Marines Flag Retirement Ceremony

This afternoon the Temecula Valley Young Marines conducted their first Flag Retirement Ceremony.

45 Young Marines were present and participated with the utmost respect and undying honor for the flag with their honored guest Temecula’s Mayor Mr. Chuck Washington and a small cadre of patriotic and proud parents. The ceremony began with the last pledge of aligence for the retiring flags .

Small groups of Young Marines approached YM/GySgt Katie Aguilar and presented her with a retiring flag , she in turn presented the flag to Cpl. Sparks and CO Guiles who placed it in the fire’s basin .  The Young Marines saluted and respectfully retired the colors.  They honored our flag and reminded us all… The flag, otherwise known as “Old Glory,” the “Stars and Stripes,” or the “Star Spangled Banner” represents the land, the people, the government, and the ideas of the citizens of the United States of America , . 

While the flags were being presented for retirement  the history was read, and we were reminded of what our flag stands for…

• The RED stripes symbolize hardiness and courage; the hardiness of the early

            pioneers, the courage of the common working man and woman.

 

• The WHITE stripes signify purity and innocence; the purity of the idealists

            who believe that each person is a child of God, and the innocence that one

            strives for in their life.

 

• The BLUE field is indicative of vigilance, perseverance, and justice; the

            vigilance to protect man’s freedoms, the perseverance that rejects all defeat,

            and the justice, the goal of free men and women everywhere.

 

Mrs.Guiles read about our flag, our enduring banner…

“I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans. Born amid the first flames of America's fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from 13 colonies to a united nation of 50 sovereign states. Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith and atop unearthly plains, my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions. Men and Women have followed me into battle with unwavering courage. They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity. They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free men and women. So long as men and women love liberty more than life itself, so long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers and those who still protect them; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America.”

 

The final flag was presented by each rank….

Private , to Private First Class, to Lance Corporal , to Corporal , to Sergeant , to Staff Sergeant , to the Gunny Sergeant , to the XO , and to the CO .

With each passing, a passage was read symbolizing the history, strength, and honor of the Stars and Stripes.

After the final flag was retired YM/Cpl Joshua Currier and YM/Cpl. Jake Fetters played an echo version of Taps as the flags were retired , , ,. In the end the Temecula Valley Young Marines had the honor and privilege of being personally thanked by Mayor Chuck Washington , , , .

 

Today was the first of many honorable, respectful, and memorable flag retirement ceremonies for the Temecula Valley Young Marines.