Olivia Britton, the younger sister of a Scout Troop 411 member, carries a serious armful of American flags while assisting in Flag Day preparations at Lakeview Cemetery in Escanaba on Tuesday evening. (Photo courtesy of Mark Rose)

ESCANABA — On June 14, the United States recognizes Flag Day.

In Escanaba, Gladstone and many communities in the nation, Disposal of Unserviceable Flags Ceremonies will be held this Sunday.

The date is the anniversary of the Continental Congress’s resolution to adopt the American flag in 1777. While it’s one of several days meant to honor the nation, one particular practice has become common on Flag Day.

When American flags have become worn, faded, or torn, they are considered unserviceable. In 1937, a resolution outlining proper disposal by burning was passed by the 19th National Convention of The American Legion in New York. They deemed that the most appropriate day to destroy out-of-service flags would be Flag Day — June 14 each year.

A little over three weeks ago, the U.S. celebrated Memorial Day. Ceremonies at local cemeteries took place to honor fallen veterans, on whose graves flags had been placed.

To prepare for the upcoming holiday, Scout Troop 411 from Escanaba visited Lakeview Cemetery one evening last week to clean up the headstones and remove unsuitable flags that may be ready for disposal.

The troop will also be assisting the Escanaba Elks Lodge 354 at the Flag Day ceremony in Ludington Park.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday, the Elks’ ceremony in Escanaba will take place at the Karas Memorial Bandshell. Open to the public, the event will include a presentation on the history of the flag and the performance of patriotic songs by the Escanaba City Band.

In Gladstone, a ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 71 is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. at the Delta County Veterans Memorial Park, which occupies land near the corner of Superior Avenue and North Eighth Street in Gladstone. Patriotic songs and the burning of the flags are the focus of the ceremony; color guard, Cub Scouts and Helping Hands are expected to participate.

The Legion intends to have at least 250 unserviceable flags for the ceremony. That number may have already been reached, but the organization continues to collect flags for disposal year-round.

Damaged, unserviceable flags are being collected at American Legion Post 71, found at 802 Delta Ave. in Gladstone; and at 2516 1st Ave S. in Escanaba.