During a light rain Saturday morning, a bin full of American flags were retired from their service flying over grave sites and in public places.

“We are only burning one bin today because of the weather. These flags are faded, torn or otherwise worn out,” said Everett Shaver, commander of American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert, during the annual Flag Day ceremony.

He said there are three other bins full of flags that will be burned on a nicer day.

There is a box in front of the Legion’s entrance where worn out flags can be placed by the community.

Each year on Flag Day, which is June 14 and was first proposed in 1861 to rally support for the Union side in the American Civil War, these flags are retired from service and disposed of ceremoniously.

The brief ceremony began with the 20-some attendees saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Then the flags were presented for inspection and declared unserviceable. Legion leaders carried the first flag to the burn barrel.

Les Sharp, incoming second vice commander, unfolded it and carefully placed it into the flames as his three comrades — Larry Taricek Jr., lifetime member; Zacheriah Taylor, first vice commander; and Kevin Bush, adjutant — saluted it.

Taylor and Shaver added the next few flags to the fire, before turning it over to Boy Scout Troop 102 of Saylorsburg to add each remaining flag to the burn barrel.