Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jen Roger and I am the President of the National Civil War Association (NCWA). We are a Northern California based Civil War reenacting organization. I was given your address after having spoken with the CA Archivist. Our Organization has been invited to participate in an event in October, which brings me to my question. There is talk of doing a flag retiring with the national colors. Members of my organization, including myself have expressed a degree of concern over such an event. We're looking at this possible retiring through both our 19th and 20th century viewpoints. Many feel that, although retiring a flag can be a moving ceremony that it doesn't have any place at a Civil War reenactment for one thing and the other that there isn't any 19th century justification for the action. While we have no true control over whether or not this can occur at the event, we would like to know what we might be in for. I've done some research on the matter and do know how the service is to take place, though all references I have found seem to be in relation to the Boy Scouts or some other related group. We understand that anyone can do a flag retiring however. Is there any historical (19th cent) justification for this? If there is justification for this then does the retiring ceremony in any way resemble the current accepted method of separating the stripes and the field etc? Do you know of any primary sources which reference the custom? Any assistance on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.

Jen Roger