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Proper U.S. Flag Retirement
Being a Cub Scout Leader, we take pride when we teach about respecting our United States flag. I have been a Cub Scout leader for many years. I'm able to bring in a little military experience when I teach about our flags history. Our children should learn that our flag is worth defending and deserves dignity when her service is complete.
Below is a "typical" flag retirement ceremony.
When the United States flag (Old Glory) becomes worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, it is time to replace it with a new flag, and the old flag should be "retired" with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag. The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire. Though I disagree with burning a flag for a political statement and truly feel it is a dishonorable act, I also feel that freedom of speech must be protected. However, today 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.
A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. In addition, it is easier to completely incinerate the flag, if it is cut into smaller pieces. A flag should never be torn up like an old bed sheet. It should be cut up with scissors or shears in a methodical manner. The corners of the flag should be stretched out over a table top and someone should cut the flag stripe by strip and then star by star.
NOTE: Some organizations do not like the stars separated because the blue star field is it represents the union of the fifty states and one should never let the union be broken. Others feel that each state is equal to the others and therefore should have the dignity of the state's name being read.
Leader: "The U.S. flag is more than just some brightly colored cloth... it is a symbol of our nation."
Scout #1: "Seven red stripes and six white strips; together represent the original 13 colonies that gained us liberty. The red stripes remind us of the lifeblood of brave men and women who were ready to die for this, their country."
Scout #2: "The white stripes remind us of purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought, word and deed. The blue is for truth and justice, like the eternal blue of the star-filled heavens."
Scout #3: "The stars represent the fifty sovereign states of our union. The American Creed states, "it is my duty to my country to love it, to respect its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."
Leader: "The U.S. flag should be treated with respect when it's flying, and should be treated with respect when it's being retired."
Scout #4: "Therefore, we retire flags with dignity and respect when they become worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled. A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. We separate the 13 strips that represents the original 13 colonies, and the 50 stars to pay homage to the 50 states that together make up this great nation.
NOTE: Place each stripe one at a time in the already going fire with a stick. You can either read the 13 colonies names in alphabetical order or the following sayings as you place each stripe in the fire.
Have the Scouts line up behind the already prepared flag and have them enter one at a time in a slow solum manner. When the stripe is placed on the fire the Master of Ceremonies reads the state or the a Scout reads the saying. It is best to not have the Scout placing the strip to read the saying.
First Stripe "The thirteen stripes stand for the thirteen original colonies.
Second Stripe "The white stands for purity"
Third Stripe "The red stands for courage"
Fourth Stripe "Give me liberty or give me death"
Fifth Stripe "One if by land, two if by sea"
Sixth Stripe "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution on the United States of America."
Seventh Stripe "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal. They are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Eighth Stripe "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Ninth Stripe "Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or press."
Tenth Stripe "Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."
Eleventh Stripe "One Nation under God."
Twelfth Stripe "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
Thirteenth Stripe "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
Note: If you have separated the 50 stars: Now have the Scouts one-at-a-time take a star and a stick then place the on the fire. As the Scout places the star on the fire an adult read each state in the order they entered the union. The stands by the fire until the state is read. Then he returns to the end of the line. The next Scout does not enter the fire ring until the previous Scout leaves. Continue this for all 50 states ori f you have left the field intact place them on the flame and then read the 50 states.
The Scouts 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.
