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East High School’s Army JROTC cadets properly retire US and Alaska flags

By Bill Roth
Updated: February 6, 2020 Published: February 6, 2020

U.S. Army JROTC Cadet Staff Sgt. Sharon Johnston places a U.S. flag into a burn barrel during the annual flag retirement ceremony at East Anchorage High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Cadets from the U.S. Army JROTC Thunderbird Battalion at East Anchorage High School held their annual flag retirement ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020.

“We believe the flags deserve the utmost respect. It’s the symbol of our country,” said Cadet Staff Sgt. Sharon Johnston. “My first time, it was very surreal when I watched the flags being put it the barrel and saluting. It was all kind of emotional in a way. I felt proud and honored to be part of it.”

About 30 U.S. flags and eight Alaska flags, no longer fit to be displayed, were properly disposed of by burning.

Cadets from the U.S. Army JROTC Thunderbird Battalion salute during their annual flag retirement ceremony. (Bill Roth / ADN)

U.S. Army JROTC Cadets fold American flags prior to the flag retirement ceremony. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Cadets from the U.S. Army JROTC Thunderbird Battalion at East Anchorage High School held their annual flag retirement ceremony. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Cadets from the U.S. Army JROTC Thunderbird Battalion at East Anchorage High School fold flags during the retirement ceremony. (Bill Roth / ADN)

A tattered flag was among 30 U.S. flags and 8 Alaska flags that were retired by cadets on Wednesday. (Bill Roth / ADN)

About 30 U.S. flags and 8 Alaska flags were retired by U.S. Army JROTC Cadets from the Thunderbird Battalion at East Anchorage High School on Wednesday. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Flags that were no longer fit to be displayed were properly disposed of by burning during the flag retirement ceremony. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Bill Roth

Bill Roth is a staff photojournalist at the Anchorage Daily News.

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