Personal stake

Master Sgt. Dave Graham, 419th Medical Squadron, grabs a sign to accompany the ashes of more than 150 U.S. flags. Graham personally bought the “Old Glory Lookout” sign to stake out the viewing area in the Uintah Mountains. Graham chose to bury the flags on the 31st anniversary of enlisting in the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard Gonzales)

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Swing by swing

Master Sgt. Dave Graham, 419th Medical Squadron, hammers a stake to break through rock below the dirt surface. Graham spent 45 minutes shoveling and hammering his way through the rock of the Uintah Mountains so he could properly bury the flag ashes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard Gonzales)

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Proper burial

Master Sgt. Dave Graham, 419th Medical Squadron, buries the flag ashes he’s collected for five years. Title 4 of the United States Code states an unserviceable American flag should be burned and disposed of with respect. Groups such as the American Legion and Boy Scouts of America have long practiced burying flag ashes in remote areas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard Gonzales)

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Reservist buries flag ashes at Old Glory Lookout

Published Sept. 25, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Richard Gonzales
419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- When the American flag is weathered and tattered, United States Code says Old Glory should be burned and disposed of with respect. Master Sgt. Dave Graham, the drug testing program manager for the 419th Medical Squadron and former 419th FW Honor Guard member, has collected and properly burned more than 150 unserviceable American flags over the past several years. As he received more flags from friends and family, he burned each one and added it to his growing bag of ashes. Graham recently buried the flag ashes at a lookout point in Utah's Uintah Mountains. He named the site "Old Glory Lookout." Graham says he'll continue to collect and dispose of American flags to show the respect it deserves.

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Personal stake

Swing by swing

Proper burial