CUB
SCOUT PACK #28 CUB
SCOUT PACK #28
RESPECTFUL FLAG RETIRING CEREMONIES
You are visitor # since May 31, 1999
Please note if a Flag Retiring Ceremony is performed in front of young children, please explain before the ceremony that this is done out of respect and honor.
During the ceremony it should be completely quiet.
After the flag has been placed on the fire make sure all parts burn completely. Out of respect do not burn anything after the flag has been placed in the fire.
If gloves are worn by participants they should also be placed in the fire after the flag.
If the ceremony was done at an overnight camp-out the ashes should be taken either by film vials and handed out and explained in a 'Scouts Own' or taken in a steel container and respectfully buried.
Click Here for Camp Fire Ashes History
Click Here for Proper Flag Folding
Click Here for Proper Flag Etiquette
Click Here for more Flag Retiring Ceremonies
'Old Glory' Flag Retiring Ceremony #1(From:usscouts.org/ceremony/flagret2.html by: Brian Mileshosky. Modified by Patrick O'Hara Pack 28 Galt, CA)1. Display the old flag, give its history, if known. Also recite the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Respect paid to the old flag -- read aloud 'I AM OLD GLORY' I am old glory; for more the 9 score years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans. Born amid the first flames of America's fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a small group of 13 colonies to a United Nation of 50 sovereign States. Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith, my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions. Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage. They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity. They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, which has been granted to every American as the heritage of free men. So long as men love liberty more than life itself; so long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America. 3. Explain to the ensemble what will happen next, and a little word or two about it. Taps are hummed slowly while the flag is cut up during ABSOLUTE SILENCE. 4. Color Guard cuts the field of blue stars out of the flag, with solemnity and quiet. This field of blue is put onto the fire first. The stripes are laid into the fire when the stars are almost fully consumed. 5. There is absolute silence until the entire flag is completely consumed by the flames. 6. Then the color guard, with meaning, says, 'OUR FLAG REST IN PEACE." 7. Nothing should ever be added to the ceremonial fire after the Flag has been burned (out of respect). 8. The next morning a Scout's Own could be an appropriate ending for your Flag burning ceremony. The distribution of ashes in film vials collected by either adult leaders (for Cub Scouts) or by the Flag retiring participants should be accompanied by a list of where the previous ashes came from. A Flag Retiring Ceremony #2 (From:usscouts.org/ceremony/flagret2.html by: Brian Mileshosky. Modified by Patrick O'Hara Pack 28 Galt, CA)Display the old flag, give its history, if known. Group says together: Pledge of Allegiance Color of the flag: Remember as you look at your Flag, which is the symbol of our nation, that it is red because of human sacrifice. It is blue because of the true blue loyalty of its defenders. It is white to symbolize liberty -our land of the free. The stars are symbols of the united efforts and hope in the hearts of many people striving for a greater nobler America. Sing: America (my Country Tis of Thee) Procedure for Flag Burning: (a pair of scissors should be on hand) Take the flag and unfold. Place stars (as audience sees it) in the upper left-hand corner. (One minute of silent meditation may be inserted if desired). COMPLETE SILENCE Then cut the blue containing the stars from the flag. Have one person hold the blue in their arms until the end of the ceremony because the blue and stars is the last part of the flag to be burned. Now tear one stripe off at a time. burn it in the fire by laying it across the flames; not in a lump. Burn each stripe thoroughly before tearing off the next stripe to be burned. After all the stripes have been burned, one at a time, then the blue and stars is ready to be burned. BEFORE the blue and stars is spread across the fire, the person holding the blue throughout the ceremony should KISS the blue portion for respect. The stars on blue portion is then laid, as a whole piece and not torn in any way, across the fire and all is quiet until the last speck of blue turns to ash. Sing - Star Spangled Banner; or other appropriate song. End of the ceremony should be followed by a silent dismissal. If the flag to be burned is small or there is more than one flag to be burned at a time, the flag may (but not necessarily advised unless due to lack of time) be laid as a whole unit across the fire. This can be done also if the first flag is torn and burned as describe above, and another lay across the first one at a time. Nothing should ever be added to the ceremonial fire after the Flag has been burned (out of respect). The next morning the scouts that actually burned the flag and their leader will gather the ashes. A Scout's Own could be an appropriate ending for your Flag burning ceremony. This could be included as the last step in the ceremony if they wanted all of those in attendance to participate. A hole is dug, the dirt placed carefully beside it. If the ashes are neatly out, they can be carried to the burial site in a box, if the ashes are still hot, a bucket could be used, then place by shovels-full into the hole, and a marker can be placed. At the beginning of the ceremony the speaker should say whom the flag grommets would be given to. They are a form of good luck can be carried or worn around the neck of the person who receives one. |
Lower the colors or unfold the flag.
Will you please stand salute and join us in saying the Pledge of Allegiance
Cut the Stars on the field of Blue out first then cut off stripes one at a time, saying one statement with each stripe.
This flag has served us well and has been a symbol of our unity, it is tattered and torn and is no longer a fitting emblem to display, tonight we are retiring it by properly burning it with a respectful retirement ceremony.
FIRST STRIPE: The 13 stripes stand for the original 13 colonies, which are: Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey.
SECOND STRIPE: The white stands for purity
THIRD STRIPE: The red stands for courage
FOURTH STRIPE: "Give me liberty or give me death"
FIFTH STRIPE: "One if by land, two if the sea"
SIXTH STRIPE: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.
SEVENTH STRIPE: We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal. Their creator endows them with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
EIGHTH STRIPE: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
NINTH STRIPE: Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or press.
TENTH STRIPE: "Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth to this continent a new nation."
ELEVENTH STRIPE: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
TWELFTH STRIPE: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
THIRTEENTH STRIPE: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
A star on a field of blue, which signifies a new constellation being formed, is representing each state.
As we place it into the fire, let it burn brightly and remind us how truly our flag represents our country.
SING: The Star Spangled Banner and then Taps.
SPEAKER:
This ceremony will promote our American Heritage and provide a Community service by honorably disposing of worn United States Flags. Worn U.S. Flags according to our constitution may be burned or buried with honor and dignity.
We are drawn here together in the sight of God to pay our last respects to this symbol of our great nation, "America", the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Take the flag and unfold. Place stars (as audience sees it) in the upper left-hand corner. (One minute of silent meditation may be inserted if desired).
COMPLETE SILENCE
Then cut the blue containing the stars from the flag. Have one person hold the blue in their arms until the end of the ceremony because the blue and stars is the last part of the flag to be burned.
This flag has served us well, but the weather has taken it's toll. Tomorrow a fresh new flag will fly in it's place, to carry on the honor and dignity of "Old Glory" which flew many years ago. To the burial fire we add...
REDWOOD: to remind us of the red-blooded Americans who fought and died to build our nation under this flag.
For rugged strength that carried the flag across this nation and today reaches for the stars.OAK:
To protect us from pestilence and corruption and preserve our American way of life.CEDAR:
Reminds us of the rich soil, beautiful countryside and fruitful brotherhood founded by our ancestors.WALNUT:
AUDIENCE: Stand AUDIENCE: Salute
SPEAKER: Prepare to place flag in the fire: Four individuals should carry stripes waist high, parallel to the ground, one on each corner. Stop just next to the fire.
Walk the flag into the middle of the fire. Lower the flag into the fire, slow enough that it starts burning, but fast enough that the flames to not burn the carriers hands. Flip the corners of the flag into the fire to be burned.
SPEAKER: Prepare to place the Stars on the field of blue in the fire:
Add Union (field of stars) to the fire
SPEAKER: Two Hold salute until stars disappear. After burning the flag, unfold new flag, hold it up.
SPEAKER: Now let us stand and re-dedicate our lives to the hopes and dreams of our fathers who fought so bravely for the things we take for granted -- our American heritage.
ALL: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Background music "America" or Taps makes for silent thought period after ceremony.
Nothing should ever be added to the ceremonial fire after the Flag has been burned (out of respect).
A Scout's Own could be an appropriate ending for your Flag burning ceremony.
The next morning the scouts that actually burned the flag and their leader will gather the ashes.
