In a heartfelt ceremony, the Boy Scouts retired old American flags to mark Veterans Day.
The Scouts retired 25 tattered and torn American flags by placing them into a fire at North Mountain Park in Phoenix on Sunday night.
"It's extremely important," said Isaac Humrich, a Senior Patrol Leader with the Boy Scouts. "The men and women who have served our military are some of the greatest heroes in our nation's history and to honor them is paramount to this nation."
Humrich helped lead his fellow Scouts through the program, which lasted roughly 30 minutes.
"It's a very somber, respectful process," he said.
According to the U.S. Flag Code:
The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
Officials say the flags that come to the Scouts are from a variety of places.
"Usually it's from folks in the neighborhood," said Dale Lewis with the Grand Canyon Council. "It might be someone's family member. A lot of times the flags have a story. They flew at the home of a Veteran, for example."
The ceremony seemed to resonate with the Scouts.
"I don't feel like this is really about me," Humrich said. "I feel like this is more about honoring the men and women who have served."
