As you may know, we have been collecting used and worn US flags in a deposit box outside our Post home for many years now. At first we were still able to partner with the VA in Spokane for proper disposal, however that arrangement has not remained reliable. That hasn’t stopped us from collecting, though, and we’ve been seeking new opportunities to give these flags a proper retirement.

On 26 May, 2026, we made the trip up to Peshastin to meet with orchardist Hans Weirich to dispose of over 300 worn out flags. Hans has a 26-acre pear orchard that was reduced down to 15 acres of pears, which means he had a pretty good sized burn pile of old tree stumps and branches. The post has been looking for over a year for significant sized burn pile that would allow us the opportunity to retire boxes and boxes of flags. Post member Ed Reinfeld has known Hans for years and asked him if he would allow us to retire these many flags in his burn pile. Hans was very open to the idea and said he would love to support this ceremony.

During the week prior to the retirement, Hans added even more wood and brush to the burn pile to ensure a really hot fire. The day before this retirement was  scheduled, four of us comrades and our wives made a trip up to Peshastin to prepare the flags and the burn pile for the ceremony the following day. On Tuesday, the 26^th, we draped our largest flag, the worn and tattered 20’ x 30’ flag from Pangborn Memorial Airport, over the pile and performed a somber, but fitting retirement ceremony to dispose of the many flags that had flown over our homes and businesses in the Wenatchee Valley. The fire was lit, and within 15 minutes, the entire brush pile and hundreds of flags were fully engulfed. Within an hour, the pile was reduced to just a small smoldering pile of ashes.

Special thanks to Hans and his wife Diane for allowing us to perform this solemn ceremony on his land. Thanks to comrades Ed Reinfeld, Jim Reece, Steve Johnson, and Brad Pieratt. And we couldn’t have done it without the support and instructions we received from the Auxiliary, who came along to offer their encouraging words to the hazardous duty we were about to perform. Thanks Pam Reinfeld, Dee Johnson,
and Kim Pieratt. Shed 3 is now empty of old flags!