US_Flag_Presentation

US FLAG PRESENTATION

Basic Flag Ceremony Commands

Opening Flag Ceremony (Outdoors: Colors)

Would you all please stand for the presentation of the flag

Girl Scouts Attention

Color Guard Attention

Color Guard Advance

Color Guard, Post the Colors

(indoors) The Color Guard places the flags in the stands, the American Flag last
(Don't forget the American Flag is always on it's own right, this would mean if you stand where the American Flag is going to be posted, facing the audience, you are the rightmost flag)
(outdoors) The Flag Bearer attaches the flag to the rope and quickly hoists the flag, the American flag is raised first.

Color Guard, Honor your Colors

The Color Guard salutes the Flag and then returns to Attention. The Pledge of Allegiance, songs, poems, Girl Scout Promise, are done now.

Would you all please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. . .

Would you all please join me in the Girl Scout Promise . . .

Color Guard Dismissed

The Color Guard walks to the back of the room, or away from the flag pole.

Closing Flag Ceremony (Outdoors: Retreat)

Would you all please stand for the retrieval of the flag

Girl Scouts Attention

Color Guard Attention

Color Guard Approach

Would you all please join me in the singing of Taps

Color Guard, Honor your Colors

The Color Guard salutes the Flag and then returns to Attention

Color Guard, Retrieve the Colors

(indoors) The Color Guard removes the flags from the stands, the American Flag first. (outdoors) The Flag Bearer lowers the flag slowly and with dignity. The Color Bearers fold the flag(s).

Color Guard Dismissed

The Color Guard carries the flag to the back of the room, or carries the folded flag to an appropriate place.

Other than saluting the flag immediately after posting , or before retrieving, the Color Guard remains at attention. They do not take place in any singing or speaking.

Monument Service
Unit Home Page

Other Flag Links

My own flag ceremony

lots of flag information

Fort McHenry (site of Star Spangled Banner inspiration)

Story of Taps

I am the Flag

How to fold the Flag and
ceremony to fold flag by

Unfolding the Flag
ceremony

I am the flag of the United States of America.
       My name is Old Glory.

       I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
       I stand watch in America's halls of justice.

       I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
       I stand guard with power in the world.

       Look up ... and see me.

       I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
       I stand for freedom.

       I am confident.
       I am arrogant.
       I am proud.

       When I am flown with my fellow banners,
       my head is a little higher,
       my colors a little bit truer.

       I bow to no one!

       I am recognized all over the world.
       I am worshipped - I am saluted.

       I am loved - I am revered.
       I am respected -- and I am feared.

       I have fought in every battle of every
       war for more then 200 years.

       I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
       Shiloh and Appomattox.

       I was there at San Juan Hill,
       the trenches of France,
       in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome
       and the beaches of Normandy, Guam.
       Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon,
       Vietnam know me,

       I was there.
       I led my troops,
       I was dirty, battleworn and tired,
       but my soldiers cheered me
       And I was proud.

       I have been burned, torn and trampled
       on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
       It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
       I have been soiled upon, burned, torn
       and trampled on the streets of my country.
       And when it's by those! whom I've served in battle -
       it hurts.

       But I shall overcome - for I am strong.

       I have slipped the bonds of Earth
       and stood watch over the uncharted
       frontiers of space from my vantage point
       on the moon.

       I have borne silent witness
       to all of America's finest hours.
       But my finest hours are yet to come.

       When I am torn into strips
       and used as bandages
       for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
       When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
       Or when I lie in the trembling arms
       of a grieving parent
       at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,

       I am proud.

       MY NAME IS OLD GLORY
       LONG MAY I WAVE.
       DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN
       LONG MAY I WAVE

This was sent in an e-mail to me. If anyone knows who the credit for the words goes to please e-mail me.

UNFOLDING THE FLAG

For this ceremony, may I suggest that you begin with the basic flag ceremony up until "Color Guards, Honor your flag". After a hand over heart salute from the Guards, Have the Guards move to the side and ask the audiance to sit for the next portion of the ceremony.

Have 5 girls standing in front of the audience, side by side.

The first girl on the left holds a correctly folded flag.
She says:
     I hold in my hands a folded flag -- a piece of cloth -- for presentation.

the first girl holds onto the grommet edge of the flag and begins to unfold the flag SLOWLY, passing the rest of the folded flag to the next girl in line. Only the blue union with the stars should be showing.

The second girl says:
     I bring to this piece of cloth the color blue. Blue is the color of the sky and the oceans, whose mysteries remind us of a law that goes beyond the law of Man. Blue symbolizes Justice.

The second girl now unfolds another portion of the flag so the third girl may take hold while girls one and two continue their hold on the flag. The third girl unfolds until a portion of the strips are now visible.

The third girl says:
     I bring to this piece of cloth the color white. White is the color of bridal gowns and angel wings. White symbolizes purity.

the third girl now unfolds the flag so the fourth girl may take hold   The fourth girl may unfold another fold before saying:

The fourth girl says:
     I bring to this cloth the color red. Red is the color of the blood of Americans who died for their country. Red symbolizes valor.

the fourth girl passes the folded portion to the last girl in line. The fifth girl finishes unfolding the flag and will say:

The fifth girl says:
     I hold in my hands, not a mere piece of cloth, but a symbol of valor, of purity, and of justice.

All girls should take hold to the top of the flag and raise it so the lenghtwise fold will open. A caller or all girls together will now say:

All girls together say:
    We hold in our hands the flag of the United States of America. Will the audience please rise and join in the Pledge of allegiance.

From here, continue the ceremony, Have the color guards walk out with the 5 girls and unfurled flag to a back area where the folded flag may be refolded If a flag on a flag pole was not used to walk in before this ceremony, this flag may be appropriatly hung for the meeting.

ARCH OF SILENCE

At your next outdoor event, try having participants walk through an "arch of silence".

Position two scouts at entrance to field or parade ground,

These scouts should be tall enough to be able to raise hands overhead and grasp each others hands to form and arch.

All other scouts pass through the "arch". They all should be told that once through the "arch", no talking is allowed for the flag ceremony.

Several "arches" may be needed for a large group.

Flag Retirement ceremonies