Guardians of Old Glory Holds Flag Retirement Ceremony in Savannah, Georgia

This past weekend, Guardians of Old Glory partnered with local Scouts and community members to conduct a dignified flag retirement ceremony in Savannah.

During the event, worn and tattered American flags were properly retired according to the U.S. Flag Code, with care and respect for all they represent. In their place, brand-new American-made flags were presented to the participating Scout troops so they can continue replacing old flags throughout their neighborhoods.

The ceremony was a meaningful reminder of the importance of honoring our flag and teaching the next generation the values of patriotism and respect.

A special thank you to all the Scouts, leaders, and volunteers who participated.

Video Coverage: WSAV 3 News – “Guardians of Old Glory Retire a Flag”

Photos by: Richard Burkhart, Savannah Now

Webelo Brooks Lott presents the new American flag to US Marine Corps. Sgt Garret Fonville, who salutes during a ceremony to retire a worn flag and replace it with the new one.

Troop 1 member Jameson Gormley holds the old flag as Scouts practice raising it prior to a ceremony to retire the worn American flag and replace it with a new one.

Troop 1 member Keshav Bhimull holds the old flag as Scouts practice raising it.

Scouts from Troop 1 practice raising the flag before a ceremony.

Scouts from Troop 1 practice raising the flag before a ceremony to retire the worn American flag and replace it with a new one.

Webelo Brooks Lott holds tightly to the new flag before a ceremony.

US Coast Guard Ret. Capt. Roger Coursey and Ret. Sgt 1st Class, Robert Brooks salute one another before lowering the American flag during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one.

US Coast Guard Ret. Capt. Roger Coursey and Ret. Sgt 1st Class, Robert Brooks lower the American flag during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one on.

US Coast Guard Ret. Capt. Roger Coursey and Ret. Sgt 1st Class, Robert Brooks lower the American flag during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one.

US Coast Guard Ret. Capt. Roger Coursey holds the American flag during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one.

Ret. Sgt 1st Class, Robert Brooks and Ret. Capt. US Coast Guard, Roger Coursey stand at attention after lowering the American flag during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one.

US Coast Guard Ret. Capt., Roger Coursey presents the American flag to US Marine Corps Sgt. Victtr Dixon and Sgt. Garret Fonville during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one.

US Marine Corps Sgt. Garret Fonville and Sgt. Victtr Dixon prepare to fold the American flag during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one on Saturday.

Scouts from Pack 1 look on as the American flag is folded during a ceremony to retire a worn American flag and replace it with a new flag.

US Marine Corps Sgt. Garret Fonville and Sgt. Victtr Dixon fold the American flag during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one.

US Marine Corps Sgt. Garret Fonville and Sgt. Victtr Dixon fold the American flag during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one.

US Marine Corps Sgt. Garret Fonville and Sgt. Victtr Dixon fold the American flag during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one.

US Marine Corps Sgt. Garret Fonville salutes the American flag, held by Sgt. Victtr Dixon during a ceremony to retire the worn flag and replace it with a new one.

US Marine Corps Sgt. Victtr Dixon hands the American flag to Cub Scout Brendan Grayson.

US Marine Corps Sgt. Victtr Dixon salutes the American flag after presenting it to Cub Scout Brendan Grayson.

Webelo Brooks Lott carries the new American flag during a ceremony to retire a worn flag and replace it with the new one.

Webelo Brooks Lott presents the new American flag to US Marine Corps. Sgt Garret Fonville.

US Marine Corps Sgt. Garret Fonvilleholds the new American flag, as he stands alongside Sgt. Victtr Dixon.

US Marine Corps. Sgt Garret Fonville presents the new American flag to Scout Jameson Gormley.

US Marine Corps. Sgt Garret Fonville salutes the new American flag presented to Scouts from Troop 1.

Cub Scout Brendan Grayson holds the worn American flag as Scouts from Troop 1 prepare to raise a new.

Scout Jameson Gormley carefully unfolds a new American flag.

Scouts prepare to raise a new American flag.

Webelo Brooks Lott looks at the new American flag as Scouts raise it.

Scouts raise a new American flag.

Scouts raise a new American flag and salute properly.

Ret. Sgt 1st Class, Robert Brooks and Ret. Capt. US Coast Guard, Roger Coursey salute the new American flag.

Cub Scout Brendan Grayson holds the worn flag as he gives a Scout salute.

Cub Scout Brendan Grayson holds the worn flag following a ceremony to retire the worn American flag and replace it with a new one on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Savannah Scottish Rite.

I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank each of you for helping make the Savannah flag ceremony such a meaningful and successful event.

While I was not able to attend in person due to travel costs, I was incredibly proud to see how everything came together. What you all created was truly special, bringing together community, youth, tradition, and service in a way that honored our flag with the respect it deserves. Seeing the Scouts, Marines, and Scottish Rite work together, from the lowering of the worn flag, to the careful folding, to the raising of the new American flag, was something I will not forget.

This event would not have been possible without the leadership, support, and coordination of several people who truly stepped up:

Alba Minter – Savannah Scottish Rite
Thank you for hosting and helping bring this together locally. Your support and coordination made this event possible.

Parish Howard – Savannah Morning News / USA Today Network
Thank you for helping share this story and capturing the importance of what took place.

Richard Burkhart – Savannah Morning News / USA Today 
Thank you for the great photos & sharing helping spread our mission. 

Connor Hackling – WSAV News 3

We truly appreciate you and your team being there to help bring visibility to this mission.

Robert Misroon – Cub Master
Thank you for your leadership with the Scouts and helping get them involved in such a meaningful way.

Allen Hughes – Scouts District Executive
Your support in coordinating and ensuring Scout participation was instrumental truly greatful. 

Eve Gormley
Thank you for stepping in and helping gather and organize the Scouts. Your effort made a real difference in bringing everything together.

Sgt. Victor Dixon – United States Marine Corps
Thank you for your professionalism and leadership in representing the Marine Corps and helping carry out such a respectful and powerful ceremony.

I would also like to recognize Ret. Sgt 1st Class Robert Brooks and Ret. Capt. Roger Coursey, you both looked incredibly sharp in your uniforms and truly represented the long history, tradition, and pride behind the Scottish Rite and our nation’s service.

To the Scouts, Webelo Brooks Lott, Scout Jameson Gormley, Scout Keshav Bhimull, Cub Scout Brendan Grayson, and all Scouts from Pack 1, I hope you learned something meaningful from today and enjoyed being part of the ceremony. I also hope you had the chance to connect with U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Garret Fonville and Sgt. Dixon, and take away something that stays with you for years to come.

I would also like to recognize and say great work to all of those who were highlighted and participated in the ceremony. Each of you played an important role, and it showed in how smoothly and respectfully everything was carried out.

To everyone involved, including the Scouts, Marines, Scottish Rite members, and all who attended, thank you for showing what can happen when a community comes together with purpose.

This was more than just a ceremony. It was a reflection of what Guardians of Old Glory is all about, honoring our flag while passing that responsibility and pride on to the next generation.

If your troop or organization in the Savannah area would like to host a flag retirement ceremony, we would be honored to work with you.