Simple Indoor Flag Ceremony
Today is Veterans Day, so I know a lot of scouts will be participating in flag ceremonies. Many of our kids have not been exposed to flag etiquette before their first flag ceremony, so take the time to give them some basic instruction.
This is a very simple flag ceremony for Cub Scouts to use at Den and Pack meetings.
Simple Indoor Opening Flag Ceremony for Cub Scouts
The leader can be a member of the den (preferred), a Den Chief, or an adult leader.
Leader: “Will the Audience please rise?”
The audience rises
Leader: “Color Guard, POST THE COLORS. SCOUT SALUTE.”
Scouts carry the US & Pack or den flags walking double file. (see the diagram on the right for formation). Those in uniform do a hand salute. Everyone else places their hand on their heart.
Leader: “Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance …”
The audience says the Pledge of Allegiance.
Leader: “TWO.”
Everyone stops saluting.
Leader: “Color guard, retreat.”
The color guard walks back out double-file to wait at the back of the room.
Leader: “Color guard, dismissed.”
NOTES:
- The US flag and other flags (ie Pack flag or Den flag) start in the back of the room. The US flag should be on the right side of the procession and should never be behind the other flags. When they come to the point where the flags must cross, the US flag should cross in front of the other flags.
- The US flag should be displayed on its own right, as shown in the diagram.
Categories: Citizenship
Why does the leader say “TWO” before telling the color guard to retreat?
by Greg Foreman on Nov 12, 2011 at 8:27 AM
Whoops! I left that part out. There are two steps in the hand salute. The start of the salute is “one” and the end of it is “two”. So traditionally in a flag ceremony you will hear “two”, often preceded by “ready” to indicate that it is time to end the hand salute.
So when you hear “two”, end your salute. I’ll add that to the post.
by Scouter Mom on Nov 12, 2011 at 8:35 AM
This comes from the military when teaching drill and ceremony. It is the by the numbers method of teaching in which a military person would hold or execute the numbered position of a movement. This allows instructors to evaluate each portion of a movement for the details such as hand/weapon placement, carriage, and excessive or improper movement, In this case the hand salute is a two count movement. Position one being to bring the hand into salute position from the natural lay of the arm when at attention. Position two is reversed. For a more comprehensive guide to flag history, customs, courtesies and color-guards you may refer to Army Field Manual Drill and Ceremonies FM 3-21.5 Chapter 15 which is approved for public release.
by Eric Ranney on Apr 9, 2012 at 4:15 PM