On Wednesday afternoon, flags were raised one last time above the domes of the state Capitol. The flags were then taken down by about 100 people who applauded outside the Capitol. After lawmakers passed a bill Sunday that would have removed the Confederate flag from the country, Wednesday’s retirement ceremony was held. Retired Army Colonel Robert Barnes of Byram was present at the ceremony, taking photos and recording video for posterity. He shared his thoughts with another spectator about how, in 1968, when he was a young African American ROTC student, his first unit emblem included the flag with its Confederate emblem. Barnes, 69, said that it was difficult to put on the flag after spending 31 years in military service. Barnes was adamant that the flag, which has been a source of bitter debate for decades, would never be taken down. He stopped, thought, and then stated: “I believed it was possible.” But it would take time and be a tedious process. The flags were delivered to Philip Gunn, Lt. Governor, by the Mississippi National Guard and Highway Patrol colors guards. Delbert Hosemann and Archives and History director Katie Blount. The flags were then presented to Reuben Anderson (ex-Supreme Court Justice) at the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. You can read all our coverage on state flags here. Officials at the museum plan to make an exhibit on the flag for the history center. Anderson, the first African American judge on the Mississippi Supreme Court in modern times, declared: “This is my thrill to accept these flags.” The second ceremony took place outside the museums and was attended by about 100 people. Robert Clark, born 1968, was among those present. He served two terms as the House speaker pro-tem and became the first African American to be elected to the Mississippi Legislature. Gunn was a strong advocate for the flag’s replacement in 2015. This came at a time when most Republican politicians were silent on the issue. Anderson described Hosemann and Gunn as “two great men.” It is amazing what they did to achieve this. Hosemann spoke to the crowd outside the museums about the historic event. However, he said that this was an opportunity to look forward to the future and the new flag Mississippians will vote for in November. Hosemann stated, “It will become the flag of our future for all of us.” Gunn stated, “This isn’t an end, but it’s a beginning.” Anderson praised Hosemann and Gunn, who were the Legislature’s presiding officials, for being able to get the votes to remove it. Anderson also acknowledged the efforts of Legislative Black Caucus members, who had for many years advocated for the flag’s removal, including former Gov. William Winter, the Mississippi Economic Council, and university academics and sports officials. A bill signed by Gov. Tate Reeves. Mississippi was under increasing pressure from civic leaders, religious leaders, and sports to change its flag. It is the only nation that still has the Confederate emblem. After decades of debate, lawmakers passed Sunday a law that removed the flag and called for the design of a new one. The law creates a nine-member commission with Gunn Hosemann, Reeves and three other members. Mississippi voters will decide whether to approve or reject the design that is created by the commission. According to the law, the new design will not include the Confederate battle banner but must include the words “In God We Trust” If the design is rejected by voters in November, the commission will present another option at the 2021 legislative session. Onetta Whitley, a Jackson resident, also attended the Capitol flag retirement ceremony. According to Whitley, 59 years old, it was doubtful that she would ever see the flag removed. Whitley saw the flag’s removal in a positive move for the state and maybe it will stop her son moving away. Whitley stated, “That flag has been used to divide Mississippi for far too long.” “… It is my hope that we can find a flag design that everyone can agree on. We Americans rally around the U.S. flag. Perhaps now, we can all rally around a symbol that is important to us as Mississippians. This was the right thing to think.” Make a regular donation to support this work today to celebrate our Spring Member Drive.