FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STANDARD ELEMENTS OF FLAG CEREMONIES
COLOR GUARD COMMANDER CHEAT SHEET
RED SKELTON on THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
JOHN WAYNE - WHAT THE SCOUT LAW MEANS TO ME
* When to Fly the Flag - Fly the flag every day, when weather permits, in any weather if flag is made of weather-resistant material. Fly the flag especially on all national and state holidays. It is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset, unless properly illuminated.
* Raising and Lowering the Flag on a Flag Pole - Raise the flag briskly, lower it slowly. When flying the flag at half mast, raise it to the top of the pole, then lower it to half mast. When taking the flag down from half mast, first raise it back to the top of the pole, then lower it slowly. On Memorial Day, fly the flag at half-mast until noon then raise it to full staff for the rest of the day.
* Greeting the Flag - (You stand when you salute) Salute the flag when:
a. you see it being raised or lowered on a staff,
b. you pass it,
c. it passes you, and
d. when giving the pledge of allegiance,
e. during the national anthem.
* Carrying the Flag - Always carry the flag aloft and flying free. When the flag is carried alone, there should be an honor guard to the left of it, or one on each side of it. When carried with other flags, the U.S. Flag should be in front of the others, or the right if the flags are in a line. Never dip the flag of the United States for any person or thing.
* Displaying the Flag -
a. When flags are displayed at different heights, the U.S. flag flies higher than the others. It is raised first, and lowered last.
b. When flags are displayed at equal heights, the U.S. flag is either in front of or farthest to the right of the other flags.
c. When the flag is displayed flat against a wall, horizontally or vertically, the blue field is at the top, at the flag's own right (to the left as you look at it).
d. In an auditorium, the flag is placed to the speaker's right when on the stage, or to the audiences' right if on the floor.
THE FLAG IS NEVER FLOWN UPSIDE DOWN, EXCEPT AS A DISTRESS SIGNAL TO CALL FOR HELP.
* Care of the Flag - Never let the U.S. Flag touch the ground, the floor or water. Place nothing on it. Never use it for drapery or decoration. If it becomes soiled, clean it. Mend it if it is torn. When the flag is worn beyond repair, destroy it in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
* Saluting the Flag - Read your handbook. You have to know this to get your Bobcat badge.
Suggested Den Flag Ceremonies:
1. Scouts salute the flag and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Parade the U.S. flag and the den flag past the line of Scouts, who stand at attention and salute.
3. Plan a ceremony on the history of the flag. Each boy in the den can make and color a different paper flag to show how our present flag developed out of earlier flags.
4. Have the Scouts march past the flag, giving the proper salute.
5. Form the den in a horseshoe, with the U.S. flag in front of the horseshoe. Each Scout in turn steps forward, salutes the flag, and steps back in formation. When all have finished the den gives the Pledge of Allegiance. Cub Scout Promise, Law, Scout Oath, etc. could also be said.
6. Line up the den in a single line. Bring the Scouts to attention, turn out all lights. Spotlight the U.S. flag with a flashlight, have a Scout read the first verse of "The Star-Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful," or other patriotic song.
7. Face the flag and in unison sing a verse from a patriotic song.
8. Form a circle around the flag with Scouts grasping the flag pole with their left hands. Give the Cub Scout sign with the right hand and repeat the Cub Scout Promise or the Cub Scout Law.
9. Webelos can incorporate the Scout Oath and the Scout Law into these ceremonies also.
10. Cub Scouts stand at attention while leader reads Red Skelton's commentary on the Pledge of Alleginace. The boys then salute and pledge allegiance to the flag. (This is particularly effective if a patriotic tune is played in the background.)
11. Webelos Scout each step forward, read a line from John Wayne's What the Scout Law means to me, and perhaps tell what they can do during the next week to live this out.
Sources: Flag Code adopted by the National Flag Conferences of 1923 and 1924, The Boy Scout Handbook. The American Patriot's Handbook. Webelos Scout Book. Den Chief Handbook. "How to Respect and Display Our Flag" printed by the United States Marine Corp.
FLAG BEARER: The person who carries the flag - one flag per person. Hold the staff at a slight angle in front of the body, or hold the folded flag in front of the body at waist level. The Flag Bearer stands silent and at attention throughout the ceremony and does not repeat the Pledge of Allegiance nor sing the National Anthem.
COLOR GUARD: They guard the honor of the flag and watch to see that the flag does not touch the ground. They stand behind the flag bearer, or to each side if in a line of more than one flag. Two per flag is traditional, but any number may be used. They stand silent and at attention throughout the ceremony and do not repeat the Pledge of Allegiance nor sing the National Anthem.
COLOR GUARD COMMANDER: The designated Scout who "calls out" the parts of the ceremony. Stands in front and to one side of audience.
COMMANDS FOR STANDARD FLAG CEREMONY
Said by the Color Guard Commander
1. "Please stand for the Presentation (or "Retiring") of Colors." (Said before flag enters the room.)
2. "Cub Scouts, Attention." (All Scouts stand at attention.)
3. "Color Guard, Attention."
4. "Color Guard, Advance." (Color Guard advances to stage or flag pole, U.S. Flag is first in line.)
5. "Color Guard, Halt."
6. "Color Guard, Post (or "Retire") the Colors." (Color Guard raises the flag, or posts the Colors. The U.S. Flag is the first to be posted, and the first to be retrieved.)
7. "Cub Scouts Salute." (The Color Guard stays at attention. Color Guard Commander and Scouts Salute.) This command and the Pledge of Allegiance is omitted when retiring the Colors, however Scouts salute the flag as it passes by them when the Colors are being retired.
8. Color Guard Commander leads Pledge of Allegiance. After completion of the Pledge, Color Guard Commander gives the Command "Two." Upon this command, scouts lower their arm smartly to their side from the salute.
9. "Color Guard, Retreat."
10. "Color Guard, Halt."
11. "Color Guard, Dismissed." (and "Cub Scouts Dismissed" if this is the closing otherwise, the Color Guard Commander may direct the Scouts to be seated.)
Color Guard Commander Cheat Sheet
(For Presenting the Colors)
Please Stand for the Presentation of the Colors
Cub Scouts Attention
Color Guard Attention
Color Guard Advance
Color Guard Halt
Color Guard, Post the Colors
Cub Scouts, Salute
Pledge of Allegiance (TWO)
Color Guard Retreat
Color Guard Halt
Color Guard Dismissed
______________________________________
Color Guard Commander Cheat Sheet
(For Retiring the Colors)
Please Stand for the Retiring of the Colors
Cub Scouts Attention
Color Guard Attention
Color Guard Advance
Color Guard Halt
Color Guard, Retrieve the Colors
Color Guard Retreat
Color Guard Halt
Color Guard Dismissed
Cub Scouts Dismissed
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