The smell of freshly burnt ashes hung in the air as more than 50 people sat in silence staring at faded and worn flags folded on a table.

A Lake Havasu City fireman tosses a flag into the incinerator at Campbell’s Ranch on Saturday. More than 115 flags were officially retired because they were worn and tattered. Jackie Leatherman/News-Herald Photo.

Soon those flags, along with more than 100 others, would be officially retired by placing them in a nearby incinerator.

“The American flag, without argument, is the most displayed and recognized banner in the world,” said Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen. “Today, we honor our flag.”

The Veterans of Foreign War Post 9401 held its annual flag retirement ceremony Saturday at Campbell Ranch. Proper flag code states that citizens should not fly worn or tattered flags and the preferred retirement method is burning, according to VFW Post 9401 Commander Frank Emery.

“I thought it was a nice turnout,” he said. “(I) just thank Lake Havasu for their patriotism.”

The VFW collects flags from the community year round.

Lake Havasu City Firemen Brad Lydic and Chris Hess participated in the ceremony for the first time and had the honors of placing the flags into the incinerator. Both Lydic and Hess declined to comment.

The ceremony including singing “God Bless America,” a short speech by Nexsen, a reading of “I am the flag,” a rifle salute and the playing of “Taps.”

You may contact the reporter at jleatherman@havasunews.com