06/15/2026
🇺🇸 Honoring the Flag. Honoring Service. Honoring Community. 🇺🇸
It’s fitting today, June 14th, to remember it’s Flag Day. This past Friday, June 12th, we celebrated at our community. It was a truly special day at The Ridge at Meadowbrook as residents, family members, team members, and community partners gathered to celebrate Flag Day in a meaningful and memorable way.
The ceremony was led by our Executive Director, Joel Burdette, a retired Lieutenant Colonel who devoted 24 years of service to the United States Marine Corps and our nation. Joel shared the history and significance of the American flag, explained the U.S. Flag Code, and spoke about the importance of properly retiring flags that have become worn and tattered through faithful service.
Following an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, residents and family members participated in a solemn flag retirement ceremony, which included the ceremonial burning or burial of each carefully folded flag, an experience that was new to many. When attendees were asked to raise their hand if they had never participated in a flag retirement ceremony before, nearly every hand in the audience remained raised. What followed was a moving moment of learning, reflection, gratitude, and patriotism.
Together, our Assisted Living and Memory Care residents, family members, and team members honored not only the American flag, but also the countless men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect the freedoms we enjoy each day.
We listened to a special reading of the 13 folds while a flag was folded, a beautiful poem entitled “I am the flag”, the widely accepted words to “Taps” and then the song, prior to transitioning to the ceremonially prepared fire and burial site.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Joel for his leadership and service, to our incredible team for helping organize this meaningful event, and to Enhabit Home Health—especially Chuck and his wife—for providing patriotic refreshments and support throughout the celebration.
At The Ridge at Meadowbrook, we believe life enrichment is about more than activities. It is about creating opportunities to connect, learn, honor traditions, share stories, and build community together.
🇺🇸 What memories, emotions, or stories come to mind when you see the American flag? We’d love to hear them in the comments below.