One of the lesser known “holidays” on the American calendar is Flag Day. This year, President Obama has signed a proclamation designating June 14, 2013 as Flag Day and the Week beginning June 9, 2013 as Flag Week.

From the Department of Defense website:

Each June, our Nation lifts its sights to the flag that has watched over us since the days of our founding. In those broad stripes and bright stars, we see the arc of the American story — from a handful of colonies to 50 States, united and free.

When proud patriots took up the fight for independence, they came together under a standard that showed their common cause. When the wounds of civil war were still fresh and our country walked the long road to reconstruction, our people found hope in a banner that testified to the strength of our Union. Wherever our American journey has taken us, whether on that unending path to the mountaintop or high above into the reaches of space, Old Glory has followed, reminding us of the rights and responsibilities we share as citizens.

This week, we celebrate that legacy, and we honor the brave men and women who have secured it through centuries of service at home and abroad. Let us raise our flags high, from small-town storefronts to duty stations stretched around the globe, and let us look to them once more as we press on in the march toward a more perfect Union.

We are fortunate to have a wonderful American Legion Post right here in Our Town Tustin. Post 227 is prominent in civic affairs of the community. If you go to the Tustin City Council meetings, you know they “post the Colors” at the first meeting of the month. They have a booth at the chili cookoff, Tustin Tiller Days and will have a table at the Police Open House next weekend.

Prior to that, on June 14th, The American Legion Post 227 will hold a Dignified Flag Disposal Ceremony where old, tattered and well-used flags may be disposed of in a manner according to law. Between now and then, if you have a flag you would like to dispose of properly, Post Commander Bob Ammann,  Vice-Commander Ivan Bishop and their team invite you to drop them off at Tustin Police Department, Tustin Library or the Senior Center at Peppertree Park where the ceremony will take place.

So, if you’ve been trying to figure out how to lay Old Glory to rest, here is your chance.