A small but dedicated cadre of Vietnam veterans and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5111 disposed of worn-out American flags during a flag retirement ceremony Wednesday at the Grandview Social Club in Duquesne Heights. 

Led by Tom Cusick of Vietnam Veterans Inc., the group opened the ceremony with brief remarks before disposing of several dozen flags. Cusick said the ceremony has taken place for eight consecutive years. Wednesday marked the celebration of Flag Day.

Dozens of worn-out American flags are disposed of during the flag retirement ceremony (Nate Guidry/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
Vietnam veterans Bill Swope, left, and Dennis Downey join other vets in retiring flags according to the United State Flag Code. (Nate Guidry/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
Nate Guidry

Nate is a photographer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike.

Nate Guidry

Nate is a photographer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike.