Sunday, March 4, 2007 - Sunday Citizen Old flags retired with respect in South Berwick ceremony From left, Boy Scouts Matt Shea, Ed Hanson, Stephen Shea, Tim Jefferson and Scoutmaster James O'Loughlin perform a reading as part of a flag retirement ceremony in South Berwick Saturday. (John Huff/Staff photographer) By JEREMIAH ROOD - Staff Writer SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — "We are gathered here to destroy these flags that have been deemed no longer serviceable," said Scoutmaster Jim O'Loughlin, before 500 flags were consumed by flames on Saturday. From left, Boy Scouts Matt Shea, Ed Hanson, Tim Jefferson, and Stephen Shea place old American flags into a fire during a retirement ceremony in South Berwick Saturday. (John Huff/Staff photographer) O'Loughlin and a half dozen Boy Scouts from South Berwick Pack 338 and veterans from the South Berwick VFW Post 5744 conducted a flag keeper's flag retirement ceremony on Saturday. The flags were burned during a small backyard ceremony at the Agamenticus Road home of Mal Kenney, a Legion member. "These flags have inspired those who desired the taste of freedom and have represented hope to those oppressed by tyranny and terror," O'Loughlin said. "These flags have welcomed any and all in the name of liberty." Scouts who participated included Ed Hanson, Stephen Shea, Matt Shea, Douglas Hilton and color guard members Tim Jefferson and Robbie O'Loughlin. The Legion plans on setting up a flag collection site at the town's transfer station for future disposal.