Flag Ceremonies

 

• Opening Ceremony

• When to Fly a Flag

• Flag Etiquette

• Folding a Flag

• Caring for A Flag

• Flag Retirement

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OPENING CEREMONY

WHEN TO FLY THE U.S. FLAG

The U.S. flag can be flown everyday of the year. If it is flown for 24 hours, it should be illuminated so the flag is not in complete darkness. The flag should especially be flown on the following days:

• New Year's Day, January 1

• Inauguration Day, January 20

• Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, third Monday in January

• Lincoln's Birthday, February 12

• Washington Birthday, third Monday in February

• Easter Sunday, varies yearly

• Mother's Day, second Sunday in May

• Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May

• Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), last Monday in May

• Flag Day, June 14

• Independence Day, July 4

• Labor Day, first Monday in September

• Constitution Day, September 17

• Columbus Day, second Monday in October

• Navy Day, October 27

• Veterans Day, November 11

• Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November

• Christmas Day, December 25

• All days declared by the President

• State holidays

 

WHEN TO FLY THE U.S. FLAG AT HALF-STAFFED (SUNRISE TO SUNSET)

• Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15

• Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), last Monday in May

• National Korean War Armistice Day, July 27

• Patriot Day, September 11

• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7

 

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FLAG ETIQUETTE

Here are some of the rules for proper display and use of the U.S. flag, as established by generally accepted custom and by Public Law 94-344 approved by Congress and signed by the President in 1976. The Flag Code does not impose penalties for the misuse of the flag. Such penalties are determined by the individual states and the District of Columbia.

 

 

STANDARDS OF RESPECT

• The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

• ·     The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

• ·     The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

• ·     The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard

• ·     The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

• ·     The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

• ·     The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

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HOW TO FOLD THE U.S. FLAG 

 

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CARING FOR THE FLAG

• If soiled, the flag may be washed or dry cleaned.

• When torn or frayed but not faded, the flag may be mended

• A worn or faded flag should be retired with respect. Fold the flag and place it on a fire. The ashes should then be buried

• Some VFW posts and other community groups collect worn flags and conduct a retirement ceremony. The Boys Scout in the South Hills collect flags. The Boy Scouts has a flag retirement plaza at the scout cabin in South Park. Please contact your local Cub Scout pack or Boy Scout troop for further information.

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FLAG RETIREMENT

"No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United State of America; The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

At the beginning of the ceremony the speaker will state to whom the flag grommets will be given to. They are a form of good luck and can be carried or worn around the neck of the person who receives one. 1. 2. 3. 4.

1. Lower the flag from the pole (or remove it from the staff) and carry it to the fire site.

2. Place the stars (as the audience sees them) in the upper left hand corner. This is an appropriate reading to start the ceremony: 

    "Remember as you look at the Flag, it is the symbol of our nation, it is red because of human sacrifice; blue because of the true blue loyalty of its defenders; and white symbolizes liberty - our land of the free. The stars are       
     symbols of the united efforts and hope in the hearts of the many people striving to keep America great."

3. Cut the field of blue from the stripes - have someone hold onto this piece.

4. Next, cut each stripe from the "whole" and lay each piece, one at a time, across the flames. 


These are some readings for each stripe: 
FIRST STRIPE: The 13 stripes stand for the thirteen original colonies which are; Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.

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, ensure domestic tranquility, 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. They are endowed by their creator 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, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

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."

BLUE FIELD: Once everyone who had a stripe is done have a Webelos come forward with blue field and kneel. Then read the following. “The blue stands for valor and courage that binds our fifty states together. The blue field in indicative of God's heaven under which it flies.” Have the Webelos kiss the blue field and place it in the fire spread part.

5. Respect paid to the old flag -- read aloud "I AM OLD GLORY"

I am old glory; I am the flag of the United States of America.

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings. I stand watch in America's halls of justice. I stand side by side with the Maple Leaf on the world’s longest undefended border. 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 truer.

I bow to no one! I am recognized all over the world. I am honored - 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 than 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, Afghanistan and Iraq. Know me, I was there.

I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn 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 soldiers, 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.

6. Group says together: Pledge of Allegiance then sing America (my Country 'Tis of Thee)

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.

Nothing should ever be added to the ceremonial fire after the Flag has been burned (out of respect). The next morning the boys that actually burned the flag and their leader will gather the ashes to be buried. This could be included as the last step of the ceremony if all of those in attendance choose to participate.

A hole is dug, the dirt placed carefully beside it, and the ashes are placed into the hole by handfuls. Fill the hole back up with dirt, a marker can be placed.

If the ashes are entirely 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.

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