Video: Veterans at UNR bid farewell to old flags at annual ceremony
As leaders at UNR looked solemnly on, students cut the stars and stripes into strips and set fire to it on Wednesday in line with federal regulations about how to respectfully retire old American flags.
Vance Kreutz, a Navy veteran and the school's student manager for veteran services, presided over the ceremony, which is an annual tradition for the university during the week of Veterans Day.
"They're not stored in the dark, out of sight and out of mind," Kreutz said. "They are, instead, given the proper goodbye through fire and reflection."
The process aligns with the directions from the U.S. Flag Code, which prescribes rules for honoring the flag and ultimately destroying it "in a dignified way."
Support Local Journalism
You’ve enjoyed unlimited access to our reporting because we’re committed to providing independent, accessible journalism for all Nevadans.
But sustaining this work — informing communities, holding leaders accountable, and strengthening civic life — depends on readers like you.
Nevada needs strong, independent journalism. Will you join us?
A gift of any amount helps keep our reporting free and accessible to everyone across our state.
Choose an amount or learn more about membership