Cleveland, TN (USA), 9 June 2016 – Lonza announced today that its Customer Care Center team worked closely with the local AMVETS (American Veterans' organization) during May to collect and replace unserviceable American flags in the area. This joint effort was aimed to help create awareness regarding U.S. Flag Code protocols for no longer displaying and disposing of unserviceable American flags.
According to the U.S. Flag Code (176.k), a flag in an unserviceable condition that makes it no longer a fitting emblem for display should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. A flag is deemed unserviceable if it is faded, frayed, torn, soiled or damaged.
Throughout the month of May, Lonza's Customer Care Center collected 15 unserviceable American flags from various homes, businesses and churches in Bradley, Polk and McMinn counties of Southeast Tennessee and replaced the unserviceable flags with new American flags. Those worn, unserviceable flags were given to Tim Woody, USAF retired veteran and member of the local AMVETS organization, for proper disposal per flag protocol.
“It has been an honor to work with Tim and other veterans to help create awareness about flag protocol,” explained Carole Hicks, Lonza Customer Care Manager. “Too often we take citizenship, patriotism and respect for granted. It serves us well to stop and consider what is represented by such symbols of our freedom.”
For more information on protocol regarding the American flag, visit www.usflag.org.