United States Flag Retirement Ceremony

I Am Your Flag

Author Unknown

An American Flag retirement ceremony for scout group campfires.


Script: What to say
Script: How to perform ceremony - retire flag only
Script: How to perform ceremony - retire flag and then raise new one
NOTE: The Scouts must maintain a vigil over the fire until all traces of the flag remnants are destroyed. Then, the fire is extinguished and the ashes are buried before sunset the following day. The ashes and the metal grommets are buried in separate unmarked graves. The burial can be completed with a moment of silence while taps is played by a bugler.

NOTE: This  text was taken from postings on the InterNet and modified as appropriate, including the addition of the Prelude and the script on how to conduct the ceremony.
 

WARNING: Nylon flags ignite fast! 

 
Prelude - Said by Scoutmaster (or equivalent)
When the United States flag (Old Glory) becomes worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, it is time to replace it with a new flag. The old flag should be "retired" with  dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag. Only two organizations are permitted by the United States Congress to retire the flag - the Boy Scouts of America and the United States Military.

There are two methods of retirement, burial or  flame. Burning the flag does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire. Tonight, we are not burning a flag, we are retiring a symbol of America's honor, courage, and strength. Therefore we request that all remain silent during this ceremony.

Scouts stand in flanking line on one side of fire. MC stands at rear of fire facing audience, asks audience to stand. Color Guard (3 scouts minimum) will approach fire from rear of audience, walk past line of Scouts, then stop at rear of fire facing audience.

Color Guard slowly unfurls flag on far side of campfire so it shows through the flames while MC reads the script below.

MC: "I am your Flag. I appear in many places. I have taken many forms and been called many names. I was authorized by Congress in 1818 in the form you see now and have remained unchanged except to add a new star each July 4th after a new state joined the union until I reached my present number of 50."

"I am more than just red, white and blue cloth shaped into a design. I am a silent sentinel of freedom. People of every country in the world know me on sight. Many countries love me as you do. Other countries look at me with contempt because they don't allow the freedom of Democracy that I represent -- but country looks on me with respect. I am strong and the people of America have made me strong. My strength comes from your willingness to give help to those who are in need. You strive for world peace yet stand ready to fight oppression. You send resources and offer technology to less fortunate countries so they may strive to become self-sufficient. You feed starving children. You offer a home to anyone who will pledge allegiance to me."

"Your sons gather beneath me to offer their lives on the battlefields, to preserve the Liberty I represent. That's why I love the American people. That's why I have flown so proudly."

"Scouts and their families are some of my favorite people. I listen to your patriotic songs. I'm there at your flag ceremonies and I appreciate the tender care you give me. I feel the love when you say your pledge. I notice that your hand covers your heart when I am on parade. How smartly you salute as I pass by and I ripple with pleasure when I see it."

"Now I am tired and it's time for me to rest in the Sacred Flames of your campfire. My colors are faded and my cloth is tattered but my spirit remains unbroken.

Optional – Extends the length of the ceremony

To set my spirit loose, first cut the +blue field away from my stripes."

MC pauses. Color Guard leader uses scissors to remove blue field.

MC: "Tear each of my 13 stripes and lay it on the fire, one at a time. As you do this, think about the 13 original colonies and the pioneers who carved a nation out of a wilderness. They risked everything to fight for the Independence which we enjoy today."

Color Guard leader uses scissors to start each stripe, then tears it; another Guard hands each stripe to the next Scout waiting in line. Scout takes stripe in both hands, then walks toward fire, places stripe in base of flames, salutes, then walks to form flanking line on opposite side each facing fire.

MC: (continue slowly reading through next section, timing each state to a fresh stripe) "My first state was Virginia, then Massachusetts, then New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and finally Georgia."

"As you cut and rip me apart and watch me burn, do not be sad or feel sorry for me. I have had the great Honor of being your flag of the United Stated of America and the Republic for which I stand, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."

MC: "When my stripes are gone, kiss the blue field and lay it across the fire. Then stand silently as you watch each star twinkle and fade into ashes."

Color Guard leader takes blue field, bring it to his lips, then lays it on the top of the fire.

Pause silently until blue field has been consumed.


"Now I am just a memory, but if there is a tear in your eye or a lump in your throat; if you felt a shiver in your spine as you watched me burn, then I will be back the next time you need me and my colors will be fresh and bright and my edges won't be ragged anymore. When I climb to the top of the flagpole, I'll wave at you and remember the love and respect that you have showed me here tonight."  So when you see me, stand straight, place your right hand over your heart...and I'll salute you, waving back...and I'll know that...

YOU REMEMBERED!

"And now Scouts, families, Citizens - Good night."

Flag Retirement Ceremony Script – How to Conduct the Ceremony

SM:  Walks out onto stage – Signs up.
         Announcement of a flag retirement ceremony (Prelude)

MC:  Audience please rise
 Honor guard attention
 Honor guard advance
 Honor guard prepare to retire the flag
 Honor guard display the colors
 Audience please sit

SM:  Read prepared script

MC: Audience please rise
 Scouts and audience salute
 Honor prepare to retire the flag

SM: Audience, please join me in singing of the National Anthem

MC:  Honor guard retire the flag

Bugler:  Taps / Gun salute

MC: To.
 Honor guard prepare to retreat
 Honor guard retreat.

SM and both MCs.  Walk off stage without talking.

Flag Retirement and Raising Ceremony Script – How to Conduct the Ceremony

SM:  Walks out onto stage – Signs up.
         Announcement of a flag retirement ceremony

1st MC:  Audience please rise
 Honor guard attention
 Honor guard advance
 Honor guard prepare to retire the flag
 Honor guard display the colors
 Audience please sit

SM:  Read prepared script

1st MC: Audience please rise
 Scouts and audience salute
 Honor prepare to retire the flag

SM: Audience, please join me in singing of the National Anthem

1st MC:  Honor guard retire the flag

Bugler:  Taps / Gun salute

1st MC: To.
 Honor guard prepare to retreat

SM:  Read script – raising flag.

2nd MC:
 Color guard attention
 Color guard advance
 Color guard prepare the colors
 Color guard display the colors
 Audience salute
 Color guard raise the colors
 Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance
 To
 Honor guard and color guard retreat
 Audience please sit

SM and both MCs.  Walk off stage without talking.

WARNING: Nylon flags ignite fast!