FLAG CEREMONIES
Your weekly den flag ceremonies are very important. The respect you show as a participant and the care you put into the planning of a flag ceremony are part of fulfilling your duty to your country, which is part of the Cub Scout Promise that you have agreed to follow. Planning and leading a den flag ceremony is also a requirement for the WeBeLoS badge.
In planning your flag ceremony you should decide the following
:
Will the flag be stationary in the front or will another scout carry it in?
In what formation will the scouts stand?
Which opening will I use?
What will we say/sing in addition to the Pledge of Allegiance, the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack?
If you do not have another scout carry the flag in for your ceremony, make sure you have discussed this with your volunteer ahead of time and that he knows what you want done. Remember: the flag does not go into the stand until after the Pledge is said. The Denner assigns the flag ceremony duty but the scout who has the duty is responsible for finding a volunteer or 2 to handle the flag during the ceremony.
Know where you want to ask the scouts to stand and plan how you are going to convey your idea to them. Also remember to plan a spot of the flag to enter if it is being carried.
Following this summary, you will find some suggestions for openings. You may use one of these, find or write something else.
In addition to the Pledge of Allegiance, the Cub Scout promise and the Law of the Pack, if your den has a Den Chief, he should guide you in the saying of the Scout Oath, Motto and Outdoor code. You may also choose to lead a patriotic song or the meaning of WeBeLoS and what the colors stand for or other Boy Scout material once you have started to learn them. Remember: make yourself a card to read from if you need one to guide you along.
OPENINGS – INTRODUCTION TO THE PLEDGE Ideas:
As we salute the flag today, let’s remember George Washington, the Father of our Country and the heritage of America.
For the opportunities our country offers to young people, let us now salute our flag, the emblem of the United States.
For those who have died that this nation might live, let us salute the flag.
To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity is a challenge to all of us. Let us salute our flag.
When you look at the flag, you can see the Constitution and the courts, the laws and the lawmakers, a soldier, a teacher, a lawyer, or a doctor. Think about what you see as you salute the flag today.
Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American faith, the flag has been an inspiration to untold millions. We look upon the flag as a symbol of national unity. Let us be united as we salute the flag.
The flag flies before our eyes as a bright gleam of color and a symbol of ourselves. Let us join in saluting the flag of the United States.
Our flag is representative of constitutional government designed to serve all our people. Let us remember that as we salute the flag today.
The red in our flag stands for courage and bravery. Today as we salute our flag, let us remember our men and women in the Armed Forces who are serving us and our country.
The 31 words of the Pledge of Allegiance are among the best known words in America. Let us repeat them now with meaning as we salute the flag.
Our flag is bright with cheer, brilliant with courage, and firm with faith. Let us add to this a sincere salute today.
HOW TO CONDUCT A FLAG CEREMONY
Your ceremony would proceed something like this (optional ideas are in parenthesis):
(you would send your flag bearer to the back of the room with the flag)
Ask the scouts to assemble in the desired pattern: horseshoe or semi-circle, full circle, straight line.
(give the command "Color guard, present the colors." – this is done only with a flag bearer)
Do your opening.
Announce "All those in uniform, please salute. All others hands over your hearts."
Lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Give the command, loudly, "Two!" – This tells everyone to drop their salutes.
(if you have a flag bearer add "Color Guard, post the colors" and AFTER he puts the flag in the stand and salutes, "Color Guard, retreat.")
(Lead a patriotic song)
Lead the Cub Scout promise and the Law of the Pack. Den Chief will lead Scout Oath & Motto & Outdoor Code.
Ceremony Leader says: "Prepare for inspection."
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