Department of Minnesota 4th District leads annual flag retirement ceremony just ahead of Flag Day.
Founded as the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp in 1926 to help World War I veterans recover, this 75-acre parcel of land today holds a special place in the heart of veterans in Minnesota. It is northeast of the Twin Cities – out in the country about a 30-minute drive from downtown St. Paul.
Today, the nonprofit with a 14-person board that runs the camp is called the Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake, and it has celebrated its centennial this spring.
Kenny Larson has been the manager for 48 of those years. “All my heart is into it,” he said. “My favorite part is the camaraderie. I love the veterans. We all care for each other, and we all tease each other, too.”
The camp holds a massive flag-retirement ceremony on the Saturday closest to Flag Day. Veterans groups and Scouting troops, along with local residents, bring their retired flags to the camp all year long. Veterans, Scouts and other volunteers work to build a structure that can hold the flags on a softball field at the camp.
This year, on June 13, the 4th District of the Minnesota American Legion held the ceremony, with Commander Jon Haworth at the microphone and Chaplain Joe Jansen offering the prayer. Handling color guard duties were members North St. Paul Post 39 and Forest Lake Post 225, with Post 225’s Tom Vodacek as fire chief having the duty of lighting the thousands of flags.
With wind speeds of 10-20 miles per hour, there was talk of not lighting the flags. Larson gave the green light right before the noon ceremony.
“It’ll be fine. Go for it!” he told Vodacek.
He was right. About 250 came out to see the retirement ceremony and enjoy a free meal after.
“As these banners are reduced to ashes in the clean cleansing fire, their physical fabric disappears, but the oath they represent remains unblemished,” said guest speaker American Legion Department of Minnesota Assistant Adjutant Janet Lorenzo.
Bree England, a past 4th District Auxiliary honorary junior president, also spoke. “In a few moments, as these unserviceable flags are committed to the fire, they are not being destroyed; they are being honorably released from their duty,” she said.
The camp itself remains incredibly popular, with a waiting list of three years just to get a campsite. Presently, there are 24 cabins, of which 12 are closed in the winter. There are 197 RV campsites, of which 17 are temporary sites. The rest have either five-year or permanent status.
Can’t wait three years? There are 15 tent sites, too, and they usually are available.
In 1926, farmland was donated to create the rest camp. The farmhouse was converted into a dormitory as a place for veterans suffering from shellshock. New wars came, and the term changed to battle fatigue, then PTSD.
Veterans returning from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan all have sought peace at the camp, a place of quiet reflection.
Today, the tradition continues. It has a staff of about 20 people. Larson likes seeing families bring their kids or grandkids. There is a playground that is busy through the entire summer.
In addition to campsite fees, the camp receives support through donations from veterans clubs all around the state.
- Flag