Hundreds Of Worn Flags Collected At North Shore Bank To Be Retired In 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. Sunday, Nov. 11, at the post, 3345 N. 124th Street.

Boy Scouts from Brookfield's St. John Vianney Troop No. 71 will prepare and present the flags, and the dignified flag-retirement ceremony, which involves burning them, will be conducted by veterans of Post #449, in accordance with American Legion tradition.

"Those who want to participate and show their respect for both the flag and the men and women who have served our country are invited to this impressive ceremony," said Lyneen Fischer, vice president and district manager for North Shore Bank.

The collection was conducted in partnership with the Exchange Club of Milwaukee. "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 Bartell, president of the Exchange Club of Milwaukee. "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 $1.7 billion and 42 offices throughout eastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois. Current Wisconsin 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 two Illinois State Bank offices in McHenry County, Ill.