What to Do With the Flag Grommets from a Retirement Ceremony

A flag retirement ceremony is a special way to honor the American flag when it becomes too worn or damaged to be displayed. During the ceremony, the flag is respectfully cut and burned in a fire. This act shows gratitude for the flag’s service and the country it represents. Many people see this as a time to reflect on the values of the United States, and the ceremony is often solemn and meaningful.

Each part of the flag has its own role in the ceremony. This includes the fabric, stars, and stripes, which all have symbolic meaning. But what about the small metal pieces attached to the flag? These metal rings are called flag grommets. Flag grommets are usually made of brass or another metal, and they are located along the edge of the flag. They are used to secure the flag to a flagpole, protecting the fabric from tearing when it’s flown.

Since flag grommets are not fabric, they don’t burn in the ceremony. This raises a question: What should be done with them after the ceremony? Many people wonder if these small pieces should be saved, given away, or buried with the ashes. There are different opinions on this, and no single answer.

Some see flag grommets as a valuable piece of the retired flag. Others feel that grommets are not a real part of the flag’s symbolism. This article will explore different ways people handle flag grommets in a retirement ceremony. It will cover common practices, creative ideas, and respectful options for this small but significant part of the flag.

In a flag retirement ceremony, every piece of the flag has special meaning for many people. Some people feel that even the flag grommets carry symbolic value. They believe that because these metal rings help the flag fly, they should be treated with respect. Grommets connect the flag to the pole, which allows the flag to be seen by everyone. In this way, they play an important role in the flag’s purpose and presence.

For others, the grommets are simply practical parts of the flag. They see them as useful, but not as symbolic. Since grommets don’t display the flag’s colors, stars, or stripes, some people feel they are separate from the true symbol of the flag. For them, the fabric parts hold all the symbolic meaning, and the grommets are just hardware.

There are also people who find a middle ground. They see value in honoring every part of the flag, including the grommets, because they believe each part has played a role. They may keep the grommets as small mementos, but they don’t view them as highly symbolic. Instead, they may see them as a simple way to remember the flag’s service.

Each of these views shows the range of ways people approach flag retirement ceremonies. Whether a person sees flag grommets as deeply meaningful or as practical pieces, the important thing is to treat the entire process with respect. Different traditions around flag grommets allow people to express their own connection to the flag and what it represents.

People handle flag grommets in different ways after a retirement ceremony. One common approach is to bury the grommets with the ashes of the flag. This method is often seen as a complete and respectful way to end the flag’s service. By burying the grommets, people feel they are honoring the whole flag, including every part of it. This approach is simple and final, and it allows the grommets to rest with the ashes.

Another way to show respect with flag grommets is to polish them and give them to veterans or the person who donated the flag. In this way, the grommets become a small token of appreciation and respect. Veterans, in particular, may appreciate receiving a grommet as a symbol of the flag they served under. Polishing the grommets before gifting them makes them feel more like a keepsake and less like a piece of hardware.

Sometimes, people also present the flag grommets to the Scouts, leaders, or other individuals who took part in the retirement ceremony. This can be a meaningful way to thank those who respectfully handled the flag’s retirement. It allows participants to carry a piece of the retired flag with them as a memory of the ceremony. This option can be especially meaningful in scouting, where respect for the flag is an important part of the program.

Each of these approaches reflects different ways of honoring the flag. Whether the grommets are buried, given to veterans, or kept as mementos, the goal is to handle them with respect. These small pieces, though simple, are part of the flag’s story. The choice of what to do with them allows people to honor the flag in a way that feels right to them.

For those who want to keep a piece of a retired flag, flag grommets can be turned into simple, meaningful keepsakes. Here are a few creative ways to use them as reminders of the flag’s service.

• Key Chains
  One practical and sentimental idea is to make a key chain with the flag grommet. A grommet can be attached to a key ring, creating a small keepsake that’s easy to carry every day. This way, people can carry a piece of the retired flag with them wherever they go. It’s a simple way to honor the flag’s memory and keep it close.
• Framed Memento
  Some people choose to frame the grommet as a memento. The grommet can be placed in a small shadow box or display frame along with a piece of the flag or a label noting the date and place of the retirement ceremony. This framed piece can then be displayed at home or given as a gift. Framing the grommet in this way turns it into a respectful tribute that can be shared with others.
• Mounted on a Plaque
  A grommet can also be mounted on a small plaque as a way to remember the flag. The plaque can include the grommet, a photo of the flag, and a brief inscription. This can be a good choice for people who want a more formal keepsake to hang on a wall or place on a shelf.
• Part of a Jewelry Piece
  For those who enjoy crafts, the grommet can be incorporated into jewelry. It could be added to a bracelet or necklace as a simple charm. This type of keepsake might especially appeal to someone who prefers something subtle and personal.

Each of these options allows people to carry or display a meaningful piece of the flag’s history. Turning a flag grommet into a keepsake gives it new purpose and helps keep the memory of the retired flag alive.

Some people believe that flag grommets are not truly symbolic. They see the fabric, stars, and stripes as the main symbols of the flag. The fabric represents the nation’s ideals, while the stars and stripes stand for unity and history. Grommets, in this view, are just practical parts that hold the flag to the pole. They do not carry the same emotional or historical meaning.

Because of this perspective, some people choose not to treat grommets with special significance during a flag retirement ceremony. They may discard or recycle them without a specific ritual. For them, this is not a sign of disrespect. Instead, it is simply a way to separate the symbolic parts of the flag from the practical parts.

Others, however, feel that the grommets deserve respectful handling. Even though grommets may not hold deep symbolism, they still played a role in flying the flag. In this view, giving the grommets a respectful end is a way to honor the flag as a whole. Some choose to bury the grommets with the ashes or keep them as mementos to show respect for all parts of the flag.

These different views show that respect can be shown in different ways. Some see a respectful end as treating grommets as symbolic, while others focus only on the fabric parts. Both approaches are valid, and each person or group can decide what feels right to them.

A Simple Flag Retirement Ceremony

A simple flag retirement ceremony helps Cub Scouts learn to respect the American flag. The U.S. Flag Code says a flag should be “destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning” when it’s too worn for display. This guidance reminds us to treat the flag with honor, even as it retires. A ceremony like this teaches young Scouts about the values the flag represents—freedom, courage, and unity. As they respectfully retire the flag, Scouts develop a sense of duty and respect for their country and its symbols. It’s a meaningful way to honor both the flag and those who served under it.

Why Ceremonies are an Important Part of Scouting

What are flag grommets?

Flag grommets are small metal rings found along the edge of a flag. They help attach the flag to the pole and keep it secure while flying.

Do flag grommets have any special meaning?

Some people see grommets as practical parts only, not symbolic. Others believe they deserve respect because they help the flag serve its purpose. There’s no single answer—how people handle them depends on personal or group views.

What should we do with the grommets after a flag retirement ceremony?

Common options include burying the grommets with the ashes, giving them to veterans, making keepsakes, or framing them. Some people also choose to discard them separately if they see them as non-symbolic.

Is it disrespectful to throw away the grommets?

Some people believe it is not disrespectful, as they don’t see grommets as symbolic. Others feel every part of the flag deserves respect, including the grommets. This choice depends on personal beliefs.

Can we make keepsakes with the grommets?

Yes, many people make keepsakes with grommets. Popular ideas include key chains, framed mementos, and small plaques. Keepsakes allow people to hold onto a piece of the retired flag’s history.

Can Scouts keep the grommets as a memory of the ceremony?

Yes, giving grommets to Scouts or ceremony participants is common. It can be a meaningful way to thank them and help them remember their role in the flag’s respectful retirement.

Flag grommets are the small metal rings on the edge of a flag. They attach the flag to a pole and keep it secure while flying. When a flag is retired, it’s respectfully burned, but the grommets do not burn. This often raises a question: what should we do with the flag grommets?

Some people believe grommets hold a symbolic value. Although they are not part of the flag’s colors, stars, or stripes, they help the flag do its job. For this reason, some choose to treat grommets with respect, burying them with the ashes or saving them as keepsakes. Others feel grommets are just practical parts with no special meaning. They see the fabric, stars, and stripes as the only real symbols. Because of this, some people choose to simply discard grommets after a retirement ceremony.

There are many ways to handle flag grommets respectfully. Popular options include burying them, giving them to veterans or the flag’s donor, or turning them into keepsakes. Common keepsake ideas include key chains, framed displays, or plaques. For some, these mementos are a way to carry a piece of the flag’s history with them.

In the end, what to do with flag grommets comes down to personal choice. People approach them differently, but most agree on one thing: respect for the flag. Whether they are kept as mementos or returned to the earth with the ashes, flag grommets continue to be a small yet meaningful part of honoring our flag.