Leonardtown Ceremony Retires 1,919 American Flags During 40th Annual Flag Day Observance

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Veterans, community leaders, Scouts, first responders and residents gathered Sunday evening for the 40th annual St. Mary’s County Flag Day ceremony, continuing a tradition that has brought the community together for decades.

Held in Leonardtown, the ceremony honored the American flag and the values of service, sacrifice, freedom and unity it represents. Speakers reflected on the nation’s history and encouraged residents to remain engaged in their communities as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary celebration.

St. Mary’s County hosts one of Maryland’s largest Flag Day observances, drawing veterans, active-duty military members, civic organizations and families from across the region.

The evening included a ceremonial flag retirement conducted by American Legion Post 221 of Avenue, Md. During the ceremony, 1,919 worn American flags collected throughout the community were respectfully retired, a number chosen to commemorate 1919, the founding year of The American Legion.

The annual event was hosted by the St. Mary’s County Commissioners and featured patriotic music, historical presentations and recognition of the organizations and volunteers who have helped sustain the tradition for four decades.

Flag Day commemorates June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress adopted the first official flag of the United States. The observance gained national recognition through schools, civic organizations and patriotic groups during the late 19th and early 20th centuries before becoming an officially recognized national observance.

Although Flag Day is not a federal holiday, communities across the country mark the occasion with ceremonies, educational programs and flag retirement observances. St. Mary’s County has celebrated Flag Day annually since 1986.

A Veteran’s Perspective On Service And Sacrifice

Daniel Morris, a Vietnam veteran, former St. Mary’s County commissioner and member of Band of Brothers Southern Maryland, said Flag Day carries special significance for veterans who personally knew service members who died defending the nation. Morris described the American flag as a symbol that belongs to all Americans and represents the sacrifices made throughout the country’s history.

“The flag means a lot to us when you know people who died for that flag, and that will stick with you,” Morris said. “The flag itself stands for this entire country. It doesn’t stand for one person or one group of people — it’s all of us. We’re all Americans.”

Morris also highlighted his work with the Band of Brothers, a veteran-led organization that helps veterans cope with PTSD and other challenges. He said veterans often find it easier to speak with fellow veterans who have shared similar experiences and understand the realities of military service.

“It’s a suicide prevention group to help veterans suffering from PTSD — it’s veterans helping veterans,” Morris said.

Reflecting on the local observance, Morris said St. Mary’s County’s strong military presence and deep ties to service members make events such as Flag Day especially meaningful. He described the county as an “all-American” community where patriotic traditions remain visible throughout the year.

“This community is all American,” Morris said. “We have so many retired servicemen here, it’s unbelievable.”

Morris said proper retirement of worn American flags is an important sign of respect, noting that the flag serves as a symbol of the nation and the sacrifices made in its defense.

“It’s the symbol we have, the emblem we have that represents our country,” Morris said.

Reflecting On Freedom And Opportunity

Maryland Del. Matt Morgan, District 29A, said the American flag represents opportunity, freedom and the ideals that have defined the United States since its founding.

“It represents the best that mankind has to offer,” Morgan said. “We’re a guiding light for the rest of the world. It represents joy and optimism, where the individual can work their way into the lifestyle that they want, where they can chase after their dream.”

Morgan described Flag Day as an opportunity to celebrate American traditions and culture while reflecting on the freedoms many Americans enjoy every day.

“No matter your race, your religion, no matter what social class you were born into, you have the guaranteed right to chase your dreams, and the flag symbolizes that,” Morgan said.

He said the county’s strong military presence and veteran population make patriotic observances especially meaningful locally. Morgan noted the community’s support for service members and pointed to the many volunteers who help organize and participate in events such as the annual Flag Day ceremony.

“We have the largest concentration of veterans per capita in the state, and you see it by all the people that volunteer for something like this,” Morgan said. “Anytime you have an opportunity to celebrate what this country stands for, our traditions, our culture, I think it’s a big deal.”

He also emphasized the importance of involving young people in patriotic traditions, saying student participation helps connect future generations to American history and civic responsibility.

“Anytime you can get school children to come to a celebration that are really Americana in action, I think it’s great for kids to learn,” Morgan said.

With the nation approaching its 250th anniversary, Morgan said Americans should revisit the principles that inspired the country’s founding, including equality, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“It’s a 250-year celebration of a country that was born out of an idea,” Morgan said. “I think you need to get back to the principles and basics that really set the revolution of the country in motion in the first place.”

Preserving Respect For The Flag

Tom Jarboe, a St. Mary’s County native, U.S. Coast Guard veteran and candidate for St. Mary’s County commissioner president, said the American flag serves as a symbol of the nation’s history, sacrifice and enduring ideals. He described Flag Day as an important opportunity to remind people of the service members who fought, suffered and died under the flag and to preserve traditions that honor their sacrifices.

“It’s symbolic of all the greatness of the United States of America,” Jarboe said.

Jarboe said proper flag retirement ceremonies help teach respect for the flag and its symbolism. Drawing on his experience, he noted that respectfully burning worn American flags has long been an accepted method of retirement and an important part of civic education.

“Flag ceremonies are great. People always say, ‘Well, they’re burning flags.’ Well, yeah, that is the correct way to dispose of a flag,” Jarboe said. “I was a Scout leader for 15 years, and every year at this time of year we’d get together with the Scouts and do a respectful flag-burning ceremony, because that’s how you retire the colors.”

He also reflected on the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, calling it remarkable that the founding documents and institutions established by the country’s founders continue to guide the United States two and a half centuries later.

“The documentation that runs this country is still working today, 250 years later,” Jarboe said. “It’s truly amazing.”

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