By Jennifer Wimmer
The annual Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held at the Hancock County Fairgrounds, at 1430 State Route 1389 in Hawesville, on Saturday, June 13. The program is set to begin at 10 a.m., weather permitting.
Each year, Hancock County VFW Post 5186 members gather on the Saturday closest to Flag Day to retire worn U.S. flags.
Anyone in the community who wishes to respectfully retire a U.S. flag may participate. Residents who cannot attend may use designated drop boxes to ensure proper retirement.
Drop boxes
Drop boxes for worn flags are located at First Financial Bank locations in Lewisport and Hawesville, as well as at Labor Management Federal Credit Union in Lewisport and on the second floor of the Hancock County Administration Building in Hawesville. Flags should be dropped off by Friday, June 12, so they can be collected before the ceremony.
In 2026, Flag Day falls on Sunday, June 14, marking the 1777 adoption of the American flag. During the ceremony, collected flags are retired by burning, following a tradition observed in communities nationwide. This makes sure tattered flags are retired in a proper manner.
Hancock County VFW Post 5186 meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the old courthouse in Hawesville. Meetings typically last one hour, and all veterans in the county are welcome and encouraged to attend.
