Boy Scouts from Troop 39 gathered at the Wareham Fire Department on Thursday, July 12, to honor and retire six American flags.

The flags were collected from the community via donation boxes set up by a Wareham Eagle Scout three years ago.

"We don't necessarily know the origins of these flags," said volunteer Aprilleigh Lauer. "But we've been entrusted to honor them with the retirement they deserve."

According to Lauer, participating in a flag ceremony is mandatory for junior scouts looking to advance in rank.

One flag was chosen to represent the six donated and was raised in front of the fire department. Members of the troop pledged allegiance to the flag before lowering it for the final time.

The six flags were then burned to ashes with scouts maintaining vigil.

Firefighter Andrew Rowley was present throughout the ceremony, assisting the scouts with the raising, lowering and burning of the flags.

Rowley took time to teach the scouts about fire safety and also showed them how to properly use a fire extinguisher after the ceremony.

The ashes from the flags were collected by Lee to be buried.