Members of the Saratoga Battle Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Saratoga Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Bemis Heights Society, Children of the American Revolution (CAR) demonstrate the proper procedure for retiring a worn out American Flag.

As part of a program entitled "Celebrate Your American Heritage" held in cooperation with the Saratoga National Historical Park, members of the Saratoga Battle Chapter, SAR, Saratoga Chapter, DAR, Bemis Heights Society, C.A.R. demonstrated how to retire an American flag. Boy Scouts from Schuylerville (Troop 13), Glens Falls (Troop 6) and South Glens Falls (Troop 9), assisted in the demonstration.

Whenever an American Flag is soiled, faded or frayed it should be properly retired and not tossed in the garbage. The flag should be burned and any ashes and grommets collected should be unceremoniously buried. The demonstration showed how to cut the flag along the horizontal and vertical borders of the field of stars right to the edges of the flag so that three pieces of stripes and one of the field of stars remain. The cut flag will burn better than an uncut flag and the field of stars remains intact to represent the union of States.

If you are unable to burn your flag, several businesses and organizations periodically collect worn flags and see that they are properly disposed of. Robert Romberg of the G. B. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard was on hand to receive the worn flags that were collected. The flags will be burned and the remnants buried at a later date.

Members and guests were treated to an explanation of events leading up to the Declaration of Independence and a rousing reading of the document by Park Ranger Joe Craig. Ranger Craig read 13 eighteenth century toasts to celebrate America's 227th birthday, with the crowd, lemonade in hand shouting "Huzzah" in response.

Chapter member Dennis Gill Booth and his wife Colleen each received an award from the Saratoga Battle Chapter, SAR for developing and maintaining the Chapter website. Dennis was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal while his wife Colleen was presented with the Martha Washington Medal.

The following presentation was made by President Duane Booth:

"A few years ago your Chapter Officers began considering a Chapter website. We knew you members would want a website worthy of our Chapter's high standards and we were therefore getting close to seeking the advice of a professional website designer. I was in Florida last fall and I mentioned the Chapter's vision for a professionally done site to my brother Dennis. As we talked we found common ground on issues and content for a site that would project a favorable image of the SAR and the historic and scenic area that we serve. We decided to focus our front page on the significance of the Battles of Saratoga and beauty of the area where so many of us live. The website would be full of features for members, potential members, youth and others visiting the site."

"As the Webmaster of his church's website, Dennis had access to some free space on their server. He played around with what we had discussed and asked his wife Colleen for some help on graphics. He invited me to take a look at their results. I did and was so impressed I immediately passed the site address to my fellow officers who were also impressed. The rest is history. We have a website that is second to none in the SAR, free of ads, strong on content and long on design. We owe Dennis and his wife Colleen a lot. They both have worked hard on this project and will continue to put effort into it to ensure its continued success."

"Because Dennis and Colleen live in North Carolina, it is difficult for them to come to a scheduled meeting. Dennis is here today, and although Colleen could not be, I felt it was an appropriate time to recognize them both. I would like Dennis Gill Booth to come forward and accept a Chapter level Meritorious Service Certificate and Medal as a token of the Chapter's appreciation for developing and maintaining a website, of the highest quality. I am also asking him to also accept a Martha Washington Certificate and Medal to bring to Colleen. That award is presented to a woman who performs exceptional service to the SAR. Colleen has done certainly that. Dennis please express our thanks and appreciation to Colleen for the work she preformed to bring the site's graphics to a professional level and that meet, and even exceed, the standards set at National."

"You are both very deserving of these awards. Thank you ever so much."