Mercer retires flags on Friday
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Megan Hughes/Daily Globe
THE NEW POW/MIA flag in Mercer is raised by Mike Rozak as David Gentile salutes the flag and onlookers watch on Friday afternoon. Hana Joustra can be seen in uniform.
By MEGAN HUGHES
MERCER, Wis. - People gathered at the Mercer Veteran's Memorial Friday evening in honor of the seventh annual flag retirement ceremony.
The ceremony, held yearly on Prisoner of War/Missing In Action Day, consisted of the retirement of two flags, the U.S. flag and the Prisoner of War/Missing In Action. The first ceremony was held in 2013 and is an event that holds significant meaning to the community.
Members of local VFWs aided in the ceremony, folding the sun-worn flags and handing them off to Hana Joustra, clad in uniform.
The flags were respectfully burned in a fire pit at the memorial site, as has become tradition. After the ceremony, those who participated gathered around the central eagle statue for a photo.