Embedded Files
Below are the Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony, Room Setup,
and Flag Retirement Ceremony (Burning)
OPENING CEREMONY (see setup diagram below)
OPENING CEREMONY (see setup diagram below)
Caller: “Audience attention. Please rise.”
“Color Guard, attention.”
“Color Guard, march.”
Color Guard walks in with flags. Walk slowly. Hold the U.S. flag upright and steady.
“Color Guard, halt.”
“Color Guard, cross the colors.”
U.S. flag crosses to the left; pack/unit flag on the right.
“Color Guard, post the colors.”
Color Guard places the flags in stands and steps back in line.
“Color Guard, salute the flag.”
“Scouts salute. Audience, place your right hand over your heart.”
“Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.”
Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance
“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.”
Caller: “Two.”
Everyone drops their salute/hand.
Caller: “Please join me in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.”
Scout Oath
Scout Oath
“On my honor I will do my best
to do my duty
to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
to help other people at all times;
to keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake,
and morally straight.”
Scout Law
Scout Law
A Scout is:
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,
Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty,
Brave, Clean, and Reverent.
Lower your hand when finished.
Caller: “Color Guard, dismissed.”
Caller: “Audience at ease.”
CLOSING CEREMONY
CLOSING CEREMONY
Caller: “Audience attention. Color Guard, attention.”
“Color Guard, advance.”
Color Guard moves to the flag stands and halts in front of the flags.
“Salute the colors!”
“Color Guard, retrieve the colors.”
The U.S. flag is picked up first, then the pack/unit flag. The U.S. flag is carried upright and never dips.
“Color Guard, retreat.”
Color Guard carries the flags out of the meeting area with dignity and respect.
“Color Guard, dismissed.”
“Audience at ease.”
FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY
FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY
Step-by-Step Instructions and Script
Step-by-Step Instructions and Script
Retiring a flag is not simply discarding cloth. It is the final act of respect for everything that cloth has stood for. The U.S. Flag Code states that a worn American flag should be destroyed "in a dignified way, preferably by burning" (4 U.S.C. §8(k)). The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire.
A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. In addition, it is easier to completely incinerate the flag, if it is cut into smaller pieces. It should be cut up with scissors or shears in a methodical manner. You will end up with four pieces of flag, one being the blue star field.
What You Need
What You Need
A safe outdoor fire pit or ceremonial burn barrel in an area where open fire is permitted — check local burn restrictions first
Dry firewood to maintain a steady flame
A container or shovel for collecting ashes afterward
Flag Retirement Ceremony Script
Flag Retirement Ceremony Script
The script below is designed for Cub Scout ceremonies. Assign speaking roles in advance so participants can practice.
Adult Leader: The U.S. flag is more than just some brightly colored cloth.. it is a symbol of our nation.
Scout #1: Seven red stripes and six white strips; together they represent the original 13 colonies that gained us liberty.
Scout #2: The red stripes remind us of the lifeblood of brave men and women who were ready to die for this, their country.
Scout #3: The white stripes remind us of purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought, word and deed.
Scout #4: The blue is for truth and justice, like the eternal blue of the star-filled heavens.
Scout #5: The stars represent the fifty sovereign states of our union.
Adult Leader: The U.S. flag should be treated with respect when it's flying, and it should be treated with respect when it's being retired.
Scout #6: The American Creed states, "it is my duty to my country to love it, to respect its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."
Scout #7: Therefore, we retire flags with dignity and respect when they become worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled.
IF KNOWN...Adult Leader: This flag is ready to be retired. Its history is as follows:
First Raised (when):
At (location):
Memorable event or fact:
Scout #8: A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. We cut the flag into four pieces: three red and white striped banners and the blue star field. We leave the blue field intact because no one should ever let the union be broken.
Adult Leader: As the parts of the flag are placed in the fire remember.. Old Flags never die, they just get fired up!
The Scouts will maintain a silent vigil over the fire until no traces of the flag remnants remain. Then the ashes will be collected and buried.
This concludes this ceremony. Thank you for attending.
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