Big Y Collecting Old Glory

Ahead of Flag Day in June, Springfield, Mass.-based Big Y is collecting worn, torn, faded or badly soiled American flags for proper retirement. From May 24 to June 6, all Big Y locations, including open-air market Fresh Acres and gourmet food and liquor store Table & Vine, will put out special receptacles for accepting the flags, which then will be delivered to such local organizations as the Boy Scouts, American Legions, VFWs and military organizations.

The collecting organizations will hold special flag retirement ceremonies that conform to the U.S. Flag Code. Burning a flag symbolizes purification and rebirth when performed during a ceremony.

Established in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, Flag Day is observed every year on June 14 to commemorate the adoption of the first national flag in 1777. Big Y displays the American Flag outside of all of its stores.

Family-owned and -operated Big Y, one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England, operates 64 locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, with more than 10,000 employees.