Ever wondered what happens to American flags that are worn out? Now, Old Glory Lookout at Cheaha State Park in Delta, Alabama will be the final resting place for retired American flags, or flags that are no longer fit for service. The park will host a ceremony at the resting site on Tuesday, December 7. Keep reading for more details.

A special spot for retired U.S. flags

Delta, Alabama’s Cheaha State Park, will become the home for the ashes of retired American flags that are no longer fit for service. For those who don’t know, the flag of the United States symbolizes the nation’s history and patriotic ideals.

A ceremony will be held at the newly constructed Old Glory Lookout on Tuesday, December 7 from 11AM to 12PM. The event will take place near Bald Rock Boardwalk. The ashes will be placed in a the Old Glory Lookout vault located on the eastern slope of the ridge near Bald Rock. Cheaha State Park and the Billy Glenn Rushing 90 of the American Legion in Atmore, Alabama collaborated on the vault.

The coolest thing about Old Glory Lookout being the home for Old Glory isn’t only its name. According to Outdoor Alabama, the vault is made of steel and is encased in native Cheaha quartzite that was cut by hand almost 100 years ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

They are having a ceremony to honor the flag at Old Glory Lookout

Billy Glenn Rushing Post 90 — Members of the Billy Glenn Rushing 90 of the American Legion were a part of the Old Glory Lookout project. Photo via Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries

Inspired by Post 90 Commander Dave Graham’s vision, members from several organizations came together to choose a worthy location within the park to hold the ashes. The members include:

Post 90 members
State Senator Greg Albritton
Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein
State Representative Alan Baker
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Commissioner Chris Blankenship
Cheaha State Park staff

Director Greg Lein says they are proud of their parks system staff for their strong history of supporting our nation’s service members, according to Outdoor Alabama. Members of the Atmore police and fire departments, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7016 and American Legion Post 90 held a flag retirement ceremony on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 to remember the first responders and citizens who lost their lives.

The flags retired during that ceremony will be the first ashes buried at Old Glory Lookout on December 7.