Hundreds Of Worn Flags Collected At North Shore Bank To Be Retired In Solemn Ceremony On November 11

Veterans, Scouts to perform traditional flag-retirement ceremony

BROOKFIELD, Wis. - North Shore Bank today announced that hundreds of worn and tattered flags gathered through the bank's annual flag collection program will be honorably retired in a ceremony at the Stenz-Griesell-Smith American Legion Post #449 in Brookfield. The ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the post, 3345 N. 124th Street.

Boy Scouts from St. John Vianney Troop 71 - the largest Boy Scout Troop in the Potawatomi Area Council with 105 members - will prepare the flags and present them for retirement. The Boy Scout Troop is participating in the ceremony in honor of their scoutmaster, Jeff Sinclair, who recently died of stomach cancer.

The solemn flag-burning ceremony will be conducted by Veterans with Post #449, in accordance with American Legion tradition.

"The traditional flag retirement ceremony is an impressive event, and we encourage everyone to come out and show their respect for the flag and the men and women who have served our country," said David J. Potter, senior vice president - Corporate Banking for North Shore Bank and a member of the Exchange Club, which co-sponsored the collection.

"The Exchange Club's goal is to let the public know that flying a torn or soiled flag is disrespectful and that flags should be disposed of properly, with reverence and ceremony," said Tom Gaumond, Exchange Club president. "Our worn flag drive in conjunction with North Shore Bank was very successful this year, and we are glad to know so many people want to make sure their damaged flags are disposed of in an appropriate and respectful manner."

North Shore Bank, headquartered in Brookfield, was founded in 1923. It has assets of $1.9 billion and 42 offices throughout eastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois. Current branch locations are in metro Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Appleton, Menasha, the Green Bay area, Burlington, Union Grove, and Door County. North Shore Bank also has a mortgage production office in Tampa, Fla.