Gloucester Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8252 conducted a flag retirement ceremony prior to its Independence Day Celebration on Saturday. The event was hosted by Post Chaplain Jon Sawyer and presided over by Post Commander Jim Sutton at the Post Home located on John Clayton Memorial Highway. Several hundred American flags, no longer deemed serviceable, were individually placed on the fire by those attending. Many of the flags had been retrieved from local veteran gravesites after being replaced with new flags by post members on Memorial Day. Immediately following the ceremony, a cookout and potluck meal was served to more than 40 veterans, family members and friends. Above, Post Quartermaster Tony Botticello tends a flag, as Michelle Botticello awaits with hers. Below, Sawyer watches as Sutton officiates at the ceremony. Email Jim Gierlak at jegierlak@gmail.com for more information on the VFW and Post 8252.

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