Flag Etiquette, Ceremonies, and Retirement

University of Scouting 2009 – CS29

Kip Lankenau

Agenda

• Flag Etiquette

• Den Flag Ceremonies

• Standard Elements of Flag Ceremonies

• Commands and Procedures for Standard Flag Ceremonies

Flag EtiquetteWhen to Fly the Flag

• Every day, when weather permits, or in any weather if the flag is made of weather-resistant material.

• All national and state holidays.

• Sunrise to sunset, unless properly illuminated.

Flag EtiquetteRaising and Lowering the Flag

• On a Flag Pole– Raise the flag briskly, lower it slowly. – At half mast, raise it to the top of the pole, then

lower it to half mast. – When lowering from half mast, first raise it

back to the top of the pole, then lower it slowly.– Memorial Day, fly the flag at half mast until

noon, then raise it to full staff for the rest of the day.

Flag EtiquetteGreeting the Flag

• Stand and salute the flag when:

– Raised or lowered on a staff

– You pass it

– It passes you

– Pledge of Allegiance

– National Anthem

Flag EtiquetteCarrying the Flag

• Aloft and flying free. • When the flag is alone, there

should be an honor guard to the left of it or one on each side of it.

• With other flags, the U.S. flag in front of the others or to the right if the flags are in a line.

• Never dip the flag of the United States for any person or thing.

Flag EtiquetteDisplaying the Flag

• At different heights, the U.S. flag flies higher than the others. It is raised first and lowered last.

• At equal heights, the U.S. flag is either in front of or farthest to the right of the other flags.

• When 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).

• 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.

Flag EtiquetteDisplaying Flag (Con’t)

• THE FLAG IS NEVER FLOWN UPSIDE DOWN, EXCEPT AS A DISTRESS SIGNAL TO CALL FOR HELP.

Flag EtiquetteCare of the Flag

• Never let the U.S. flag touch the ground, 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.

Flag EtiquetteSaluting

• Read your handbook• Requirement for Bobcat badge • A salute should only be given when in uniform.• When you are not wearing a uniform, place your

hand over your heart in lieu of a salute. (In times past, scouts were taught to salute over their heart when not in uniform. This is still an acceptable, though not frequently seen alternative.)

Den Flag Ceremonies

• Scouts salute the flag and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. 

• Parade the U.S. flag and the den flag past the line of scouts, who stand at attention and salute.

• 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.

• Have the scouts march past the flag, giving the proper salute.

Den Flag Ceremonies

• Form the den into a horseshoe, with the U.S. flag in front of the horseshoe. Each scout in turn steps forward, salutes the flag and then steps back in formation. When all have finished, the den gives the Pledge of Allegiance. The Cub Scout Promise, Law, Oath, etc., could also be recited.

• 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 and have a scout read the first verse of The Star-Spangled Banner, American the Beautiful or other patriotic song.

Den Flag Ceremonies

• Face the flag and in unison, sing a verse from a patriotic song.

• 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 Law.

• Webelos can also incorporate the Scout Oath or Law into these ceremonies.

Standard Elements of Flag Ceremonies

• Flag Bearer

• Color Guard

• Color Guard Commander

• Musicians

• Calls

Flag Bearer

• The person who carries the flag

• one flag per person. • Hold staff at slight angle in

front of the body or hold the folded flag in front of the body at waist level.

• stands silent at attention throughout the ceremony

• does not recite the Pledge nor sing

Color Guard

• Guards the honor of the flag (does not touch ground)

• Stands 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 ok.

• Stand silent at attention throughout the ceremony.

Color Guard Commander

• Designated person “calls out” the parts of the ceremony.

• Stands in front of or to one side of the audience.

Musicians

• Buglers play To The Colors when posting the colors and Retreat when retiring the colors.

• Drummers play a roll when posting or retiring the colors.

• Other instruments or groups play The Star Spangled Banner or other patriotic tune as appropriate. – As the colors are raised briskly and retrieved slowly,

so should be the tune and tempo.

Calls

• Commands given by the Color Guard Commander for the benefit and education of those not entirely familiar with the ceremony.

• They should be spoken clearly and loudly. • With a properly trained unit utilizing

musicians, only four calls are required; “Attention”, “Salute”, “Two” and “At Ease”.

Notes

• Always raise a flag briskly and retrieve it slowly.• With multiple flags, the U.S. flag is always the

first to be posted (or raised) and the last to be retrieved.

• In such situations, the flags can be raised or lowered simultaneously, as long as the U.S. flag is the first to reach the top and the last to reach the bottom.

CommandsFlag Ceremony Posting Colors on Pole w/o Musicians

1. “Please stand” or “Please rise” (unless everyone is already standing)2. “Cub Scouts (or name of the group), Attention! (AH – TEN…….SHUN!)3. “Color Guard, Attention!” (optional, as the color guard should already be

at attention)4. “Color Guard, Advance!” (ADD...VANCE)5. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!” (as the Color Guard are the only ones in

motion)6. “Color Guard, Post the Colors, Right Hand Salute!” (The Color Guard

raises the flag.)7. “I Pledge Allegiance, to the flag……..” (Color Guard Commander leads the

Pledge of Allegiance.)8. “TWO!” (Upon this command the salute is smartly dismissed.)9. “Color Guard, Retreat!” (REE…TREAT)10. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!”11. “Color Guard, Dismissed!” (DISS…..MISSED)12. “At Ease!” or “Dismissed!” as appropriate

Retrieving the Colors from Pole w/o Musicians

1. “Please stand” or “Please rise” (unless everyone is already standing)2. “Cub Scouts (or name of the group), Attention! (AH –

TEN…….SHUN!)3. “Color Guard, Attention!” (optional, as the color guard should

already be at attention)4. “Color Guard, Advance!” (ADD...VANCE)5. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!” (as the Color Guard are the only

ones in motion)6. “Color Guard, Retrieve the Colors, Right Hand Salute!” (The Color

Guard lowers and folds the flag.)7. “TWO!” (Upon this command the salute is smartly dismissed.8. “Color Guard, Retreat!” (REE…TREAT)9. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!”10. “Color Guard, Dismissed!” (DISS…..MISSED)

Flag Ceremony w/ Pole & Musicians Posting1. “Please stand” or “Please rise” (unless everyone is already standing)2. “Cub Scouts (or name of the group), Attention! (AH – TEN…….SHUN!)3. “Color Guard, Attention!” (optional, as the color guard should already be at

attention)4. “Color Guard, Advance!” (ADD...VANCE)5. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!” (as the Color Guards are the only ones in

motion)6. “Right Hand Salute!” (The Color Guards approach the halyards and prepare to

raise the flag. When ready, the Color Guard nods and the Musicians begin playing as the Colors are raised. Upon completion, the Color Guard stands at attention beside flag pole.)

7. “I Pledge Allegiance, to the flag……..” (Color Guard Commander leads the Pledge of Allegiance. Color Guards and Musicians remain silent and do not repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.)

8. “TWO!” (Upon this command the salute is smartly dismissed, instruments are lowered.)

9. “Color Guard, Retreat!” (REE…TREAT)10. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!”11. “Color Guard, Dismissed!” (DISS…..MISSED)12. “At Ease!” or “Dismissed!” as appropriate

Flag Ceremony w/Pole & Musicians Retrieving

1. “Please stand” or “Please rise” (unless everyone is already standing)2. “Cub Scouts (or name of the group), Attention! (AH – TEN…….SHUN!)3. “Color Guard, Attention!” (optional, as the color guard should already be at

attention) 4. “Color Guard, Advance!” (ADD...VANCE)5. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!” (as the Color Guards are the only ones in motion) 6. “Right Hand Salute!” (The Color Guards approach the halyards and prepare to

retrieve the flag. When ready, the Color Guard nods and the Musicians begin playing. As the Musicians play, the flag is lowered and folded.)

7. “TWO!” (Upon this command the salute is smartly dismissed, instruments are lowered.) 

8. “Color Guard, Retreat!” (REE…TREAT)9. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!”10. “Color Guard, Dismissed!” (DISS…..MISSED)11. “At Ease!” or “Dismissed!” as appropriate

Flag Ceremony w/o Pole or Musicians - Posting

1.      “Please stand” or “Please rise” (unless everyone is already standing) 2.      “Cub Scouts (or name of the group), Attention! (AH – TEN…….SHUN!) 3.      “Color Guard, Attention!” (optional, as the color guard should already be at

attention) 4 “Color Guard, present the Colors! Right Hand Salute!” (Color Guard advances to

flag stand.) 5.      “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!” (as the Color Guard are the only ones in motion)6.  “Color Guard, Post the Colors!” or “Post the Colors!” (Color Guard places flag in

stand, then stands beside at attention) 7.      “I Pledge Allegiance, to the flag……..” (Color Guard Commander leads the Pledge

of Allegiance.) 8.      “TWO!” (Upon this command the salute is smartly dismissed.) 9.     “Color Guard, Retreat!” (REE…TREAT 10.      “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!”11.      “Color Guard, Dismissed!” (DISS…..MISSED) 12. “At Ease!” or “Dismissed!” as appropriate

Flag Ceremony w/o Pole & Musicians - Retrieving

1. “Please stand” or “Please rise” (unless everyone is already standing)

2. “Cub Scouts (or name of the group), Attention! (AH – TEN…….SHUN!)

3. “Color Guard, Attention!” (optional, as the color guard should already be at attention)

4. “Color Guard, Advance!” (Color Guard advances to flag stand.)

5. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!” (as the Color Guard are the only ones in motion)

6. “Color Guard, Retrieve the Colors, Right Hand Salute!” (The Color Guard grasps and retires the colors.)

7. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt”

8. “TWO!” (Upon this command the salute is smartly dismissed.)

9. “At Ease!” or “Dismissed!” as appropriate

Flag Ceremony w/o Pole w Musicians - Posting

1. “Please stand” or “Please rise” (unless everyone is already standing)2. “Cub Scouts (or name of the group), Attention! (AH – TEN…….SHUN!)3. “Color Guard, Attention!” (optional, as the color guard should already be at

attention)4. “Color Guard, Present the Colors! Right Hand Salute” (Musicians begin

playing, Color Guard advances to flag stand, posts and stands at attention beside the Colors.)

5. “I Pledge Allegiance, to the flag……..” (Color Guard Commander leads the Pledge of Allegiance.)

6. “TWO!” (Upon this command the salute is smartly dismissed, instruments lowered.)

7. “Color Guard, Retreat!” (REE…TREAT) 8. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!”9. “Color Guard, Dismissed!” (DISS…..MISSED)10. “At Ease!” or “Dismissed!” as appropriate

Flag Ceremony w/o Pole w/Musicians - Retrieving

1. “Please stand” or “Please rise” (unless everyone is already standing)2. “Cub Scouts (or name of the group), Attention! (AH – TEN…….SHUN!)3. “Color Guard, Attention!” (optional, as the color guard should already be

at attention)4. “Color Guard, Advance!“ (Color Guard advances to flag stands.)5. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!” (as the Color Guard are the only ones in

motion.6. “Color Guard retrieve the Colors, Right Hand Salute!” or “Right Hand

Salute”7. (Musicians begin playing, the Color Guard grasps and retires the colors.)8. “Color Guard, Halt!” or “Halt!”9. “TWO!” (Upon this command the salute is smartly dismissed, instruments

lowered.)10. “At Ease!” or “Dismissed!” as appropriate

Questions?

Kip Lankenau

CubMaster, Pack 759

Carrollton Texas

kip@kipmotor.com