Troop 434 Flag Retirement

 

The American flag to be retired should be folded.

The Troop is assembled in a parallel line formation.

A 5-member retirement crew is assembled in line in front of the Troop.

An additional person (the cutter) is assembled beside them, with scissors.

 

Narrator: In a few moments, we will be retiring the flag of the United States of America. This is a solemn ceremony, and we ask that you all show the proper respect for the flag and those who have fought so hard for it and all it represents.

 

Please stand and remain quiet until the ceremony is finished.

 

The following is a direct quotation from the beginning of Title 36, Section 176, of the Constitution of the United States of America:

No disrespect should be shown the flag of the United States of America.

 

Furthermore, Paragraph K of Title 36, Section 176 states:

The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

 

We will now retire the flag.

 

The 5 member retirement crew will hold the flag before and after it is cut.

(In the event of a very oversized flag, Scouts and leaders may be asked to come forth from the assembly to help hold the flag.)

One retirement crew member should be holding each corner of the flag, with the fifth person following the cutter to receive the 13th stripe when it is cut.

(The narrator may choose to read the next narrator section during the cutting.)

 

Cutting and folding order is as follows...

 

  1. First cut: the 13th stripe, cutting from the grommet end, and it is rolled as it is cut.
  2. First fold: the 13th stripe section is folded into a square (Scout assists).
    (The crew members holding the sections then remain in place.)
  3. Second cut: from the top and along the edge of the blue field to the bottom of the blue field.
    (Cutter may want to continue this cut and make a small cut in the stripe section to show where the side of the blue field ended.)
  4. Third cut: the blue field away from the stripes below it.
  5. Second fold: the blue field is folded into a triangle (Scout assists).
  6. Fourth cut: the large stripe section along the stripe where the bottom of the blue field ended.
  7. Third fold: the square stripe section is folded into a square.
  8. Fifth cut: from the small cut in the large stripe section, through the stripes.
  9. Fourth and fifth folds: the final 2 square stripe sections are folded into squares.
  10. The retirement crew faces the fire in a parallel line formation. Before proceeding to the fire, the retirement crew should arrange in the following flag section order:
    1. 13th stripe
    2. lower part of all stripe section
    3. upper part of all stripe section
    4. stripe section below blue field
    5. blue field

 

At the fire the retirement crew falls into a single file line facing the audience in the same order.

If using music, start music, and as the music begins, the narrator begins to speak. (Music suggested is from the soundtrack from the movie "Glory", CD track #11.)

Narrator: Our flag is the symbol of our country. Have you ever stopped to think what the flag really means? The blue in our flag stands for the valor with which our ancestors fought and died in the many battles that have been fought for our country and all for which it stands.

 

The white stands for the purity in all of our hearts. It also represents the honor that each of us should show in our everyday lives. The red stands for all of the men and women who have died in the service of our country, both as members of the armed forces, and as everyday citizens.

 

Our flag has been carried into every battle into which there have been United States citizens, from the American Revolution to the Civil War, to World War I and World War II, to the Korean Conflict, from Vietnam to Desert Storm. It has flown over some battles that were never declared, such as Beirut where the Marine barracks were blown up by terrorists, the Alfred Murrah building in Oklahoma City, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and the World Trade Center in New York City.

 

In all of these, we, the American People, have stayed true to the values that the flag represents. We should always value the sacrifices that have been made for our flag and the country that it represents.

 

We have an old friend here who has fulfilled his duty to our country. He has become worn and tattered and we are here today/tonight to retire him with honor. We shouldn’t be sad about the retirement of our friend. We are not burning him in anger, we are only releasing his spirit so that he can continue to serve in our thoughts.

 

Narrator pauses for a few seconds, waiting for the cutting to be completed.

 

Narrator: Would all the veterans in the audience please come down and form a line behind the flag?

 

Veterans come and stand behind the flag retirement crew. When all are in place, the narrator continues...

 

Narrator: I now call the holder of the 13th stripe to place the 13th stripe, which stands for the 13th colony, now the great state of Georgia, on the fire.

 

The crew member with the 13th stripe steps out from the line, walks reverently to the fire, places the stripe on the fire and salutes it. (salute should be a fast up and slow down) He then returns to his spot in

line.

 

Narrator: I now call the holders of the other four sections of the flag to place their sections, in order and one at a time, on the fire. The blue field should be last.

 

The crew members all follow suit in the same order which will result in the blue field being the last section placed on the fire, each crew member saluting as he places his section on the fire.

 

As the last crew member, with the blue field, places his section on the fire, the Narrator calls the entire assembly to salute.

 

Narrator: Scouts! Ten hut!   Scouts! Salute!

 

As the last section, the blue field is placed on the fire, taps is played and the salute continues for the duration. At this time, any other flags to be retired should be placed on the fire, one at a time.

 

At the end of taps, the narrator calls everyone to stand down. The crew members return to their places in the retirement line.

 

Narrator: Ready! Tu!

Veterans, we thank you for joining us in our salute, you may now return to your places.

We also thank the retirement crew for their assistance today with the retirement of the flag.