New London — Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 189 in New London held a flag retirement ceremony Wednesday.

Members stood at attention as the post's colors were struck and the flag replaced with a new one. The post regularly collects worn flags from the community and holds the traditional burning ceremony once or twice a year.

This year more than 3,000 flags had been collected from other veterans organizations, members of the community and businesses. Many of the flags were removed from veterans' graves at local cemeteries when new ones were placed for Memorial Day.

The U.S. Flag Code states: "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

Many veterans organizations, scouts and military posts conduct regular flag retirement ceremonies.