The Retirement of the Flag

Just a simple piece of colored cloth, sewn together in a red, white, and blue design. A piece of cloth that of itself does nothing more than hang or blow in the wind. But too many thousands of people though out our nations glorious history, it has stood tall, standing as a monument of Freedom, for all Americans. Men and woman have given their lives for it, fought for it, cried for it, and revered it as a symbol for the greatest Country on earth. Books, songs, and poems have been written for it, and our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner was inspired by it.

Each day our children are encouraged to pledge their allegiance to it, and when ever it is raised or passes by, we all place our hands over our hearts or salute it. It stands for the freedom we all share and the pride and patriotism we feel for our Country.

But when the flag has served its usefulness and no longer is suitable to represent our Country, it must be retired and replaced. We believe that a task of this magnitude warrants a well thought out plan and a guide to properly dignify this event. The only "official" resource that we were able to find was in the Trooped States Code that simply states:

"Soiled flags may be renovated by either washing or dry cleaning. Worn out flags should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning".

The importance of this act, and the pride and emotions that it evokes make it a very powerful event that can serve as a reminder of our National Pride and help instill the values brought forth in developing good citizenship in our Youth. With this in mind, the retirement of our nation’s flag then becomes a heavy responsibility that must be addressed with the proper respect and dignity it deserves.

The flag retirement ceremony can be done in many settings, but is most effective in a small group setting. It should not be made a "grand event" or public display, rather a small, solemn occasion with a specific group or organization. A special ceremony or campfire would be appropriate. The actual ceremony should be an event by itself with no interruptions or "other business" during the ceremony. It may be a separate part of a larger Program, but should have its own time from beginning to end.

What you will need

Preparation Fire about 1' high
2-4 6' Poles
Script Preface
A Master of Ceremony
A few Readers of the information below

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The Ceremony

Begin the ceremony by having the Master of Ceremony: "silence" the audience and call for the colors:

Master of Ceremony: "Color Guard... Presents Colors".

Master of Ceremony:"We are here today to honor the symbol of our Country and retire a flag which has served its useful life as a symbol of freedom and our Country".

First Reader: "I am your Flag. I was born on June 14, 1777. I am more than just a piece of cloth shaped into a colorful design; I am the silent sentinel of freedom for the greatest sovereign nation on earth. I am the inspiration for which America patriots gave their lives and fortunes; I am the emblem of America".

I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to Vietnam. I have been there though the Civil War, Two World wars, at Gettysburg, Flanders, Korea, the Gulf War, all of them. I was there with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and I here with you now.

I have flown through Peace and War. Through strife and Prosperity, and amidst it all, I have always been respected. My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation. My white stripes, the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons in battle. My blue field represents God’s Heaven under which I fly, and my stars, clustered together, unify the fifty states as one for God and Country.

I am "Old Glory" and I proudly wave on high. Honor me, respect me, and defend me with your lives. Never let our enemies tear me down from my lofty Position, lest I never return. Keep alight the fires of patriotism, strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy, and keep me always as a symbol of freedom, liberty, and peace in our Country.

When it comes the time when I am old and faded, do not let me fly in disrepair, rather retire me from my duties only to replace me with a new flag so that I may continue to symbolize our Country. With this, renew your commitment to what I stand for and pledge your allegiance to me one final time:

Master of Ceremony: "Scout Salute! To the audience: Please join me in the 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".

Second Reader: As you can see, this banner of freedom before you is worn, tattered, and soiled from use and age. Her broad stripes are no longer a fiery red and pure white, but faded and worn out. The stars and blue background are no longer vivid reminders of our blue skies and great land, of the purity, vigilance, and justice she should represent. She has flown proudly over the years and has done her job well, but now she must be replaced with a new flag to properly represent this great Nation of ours.

Third Reader: The flag of our Nation should always be a strong, vivid symbol of our land and fly brightly in our minds. Our flag is a symbol of our people, our freedom, and our strength. So it is now that I commit this flag, which no longer can fulfill these duties to the fire so that we may replace it with a new flag to properly symbolize our Nation. May the spirit of this flag be born again in the new flag we will now fly".

Master of Ceremony: Scout Salute

At this time the Color Guard will turn the flag so it is parallel with the ground and gently drop it into the fire, folding the ends in toward the middle of the flame. The third Guard will use a long stick to then "stir the ashes" so that it will not be possible to recognize the ashes as a flag. They will then step back from the fire and stand at attention, and salute the flag.

Master of Ceremony: "Color Guard... Prepare Colors".

At this time, the Color Guard will march over to where the "new" flag Bearer is. The New Flag Bearer will hand the new flag to the Color Guard Flag Bearer and step back. The Color Guard will then march back to where they were standing behind the flag stand and stand at attention.