Outside Flag Pole

Here is a great reason to learn knots and lashings!  You can have a flag pole wherever you are.

This is convenient for outside ceremonies, used at day camps as well as needed to pass off achievements.

Of course, you could use an outside pole already at the site just for such a purpose, but what about at a local camp site?  Besides, look at those parallel lashings.  Doesn't that look so cool!  So...........well, Boy Scout-y! Standing there as an advertisement to entice your cub scouts to moving on to Boy Scouts.  I challenge you!

Flag Folding Ceremony

This is a copy of the script used at October's Roundtable by the men from the V.F.W. Post 4918, Timpanogos Post.

Other scripts can be found at this link.

"The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing." Section 8j. Read the full Flag Code

Flag-Folding Script #4

What follows is a popular script for folding the flag; however, it should not be used in official ceremonies as it is in violation of the Establishment Clause. The Establishment Clause (First Amendment) requires that expression not create the reasonable impression that the government is sponsoring, endorsing, or inhibiting religion generally, or favoring or disfavoring a particular religion.

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The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to unravel and fold the flag into a quarter fold--resume reading when Honor Guard is standing ready.)

1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
6. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we 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.
7. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
9. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
10. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag--after the inspection, resume reading.)

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

Flag Ceremonies

Click here to watch a great video on the Do's and Don'ts of a proper Flag Ceremony. It's good enough to have your Cubs watch it too!

Script for Basic Flag Ceremony Opening

Basic Flag Opening

Intended for: All Scouts

(have the scouts offstage, ready holding the flags. The US Flag is on the right, then State flag, then Troop or Pack flag on the far left.)

Leader: "Color Guard, Attention!"

Leader: "Audience, Please Rise!"

Leader: "Scout Salute! Those not in uniform, please place your right hand over your heart."

Leader: "Color Guard, Forward March!" (wait for color guard to reach the front)

Leader: "Color Guard, Halt!"

Leader: "Color Guard, Cross the Colors!" (US Flag crosses in front of others to left-most flag stand, then state, then Troop or Pack flags. Wait for flag bearers to move to the flag pole stands)

Leader: "Color Guard, Post the Flag of [Pack/Troop] 123! "

Leader: "Color Guard, Post the Flag of the Great State of [your state name]! " (US Flag remains held by bearer)

Leader: "Please recite the Pledge of Allegiance!"

Leader: "TWO!" (Everyone drops salute. This is a traditional signal to lower your hands.)

Leader: "Scout Sign!" (Everyone raises right hand making the Scout sign or Cub Scout sign)

Leader: "Please join us in reciting the [Scout Law, Scout Oath, Cub Scout Promise, Outdoor Code, ...]!" (this is where the ceremony can be customized by the color guard. Choose what to recite. Could sing a song such as 'America the Beautiful'..)

Leader: "TWO!" (Everyone drops Scout sign. This is a traditional signal to lower your hands.)

Leader: "Color Guard, Post the Flag of the United States of America! "

Leader: "Color Guard, Honor your Colors!" (Flag bearers salute the US flag)

Leader: "Color Guard, return to ranks!" (wait for flag bearers return to formation)

Leader: "Audience, Please be seated!"

Basic Flag Closing

Intended for: All Scouts

(leader assembles color guard in back of room or offstage so they are ready. You may only have flag bearers, 2 or 3 scouts following, 2 in front and 2 behind, or any crisp formation depending on number of scouts in color guard.)

Leader: "Color Guard, Attention! "

Leader: "Audience, Please Rise! "

Leader: "Color Guard, Forward March! " (wait for color guard to reach the front)

Leader: "Color Guard, Halt! "

Leader: "Scout Salute! Please put your right hand over your heart if you are not in uniform."

Leader: "Color Guard, Retrieve the Colors! " (wait for flag bearers to pick up their flags)

Leader: "Color Guard, Return to Ranks! " (wait for flag bearers to return to formation) ( US Flag is on the far right facing the audience, then State flag, then Troop or Pack flag on far left.)

Leader: "Color Guard, About Face! "

Leader: "Color Guard, Forward March! " (wait until color guard reaches back of room)

Leader: "Color Guard, Halt! "

Leader: "TWO! " (everyone drops salute. This is a traditional signal to lower your hands.)

Leader: "Audience, Thank you for joining us. "

Leader: "Color Guard, Dismissed! " (flag bearers should immediately put the flags away before starting to play with the other guys. )