Carrying the Flag

Always carry the flag aloft and flying free. When the flag is carried alone, there should be an honor guard to the left of it, or one on each side of it. When carried with other flags, the U.S. Flag should be in front of the others, or the right if the flags are in a line. Never dip the flag of the United States for any person or thing.

Standard Elements of a Flag Ceremony

FLAG BEARER

The person who carries the flag - one flag per person. Hold the staff at a slight angle in front of the body or hold the folded flag in front of the body at waist level. The Flag Bearer stands silent and at attention throughout the ceremony and does not repeat the Pledge of Allegiance nor sings the National Anthem.

COLOR GUARD

They guard the honor of the flag and watch to see that the flag does not touch the ground. They stand behind the flag bearer, or to each side if in a line of more than one flag. Two per flag is traditional, but any number may be used. They stand silent and at attention throughout the ceremony and do not repeat the Pledge of Allegiance nor sing the National Anthem.

COLOR GUARD COMMANDER

The designated Scout who "calls out" the parts of the ceremony. Stands in front and to one side of audience.

Commands for a Standard Flag Ceremony

Presenting the Colors (by the Color Guard Commander):

"Please stand for the presentation of Colors."
Said before flags enter the room or begin motion.

"Scouts, Attention."
All Scouts stand at attention.

"Color Guard, Attention."

"Scouts, Salute."
The Color Guard stays at attention. Color Guard Commander and Scouts Salute.
Scouts salute the flag any time it is in motion.

"Color Guard, Advance."
Color Guard advances to front of audience.

"Color Guard, Halt."

"Color Guard, Cross."
The U.S. Flag crosses in front of other flags. Color guard approaches and stops at the flag posts.

"Color Guard, Post the Colors."
The U.S. flag is placed in it's stand first, followed by other flags. Once the flags are posted into the flag stands, the color guard salutes the flag and then stands at attention.

"Will the audience please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance."
Note: Color Guard does not salute or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Nor do they sing the National Anthem. They stand at attention and guard the flags.

"I pledge allegiance..."

"Two"
Note: After completion of the Pledge, Color Guard Commander gives the Command "Two." Upon this command, scouts lower their arm smartly to their side from the salute. Meaning-- A salute has 2 steps: the first step is the gesture, the second step is the release of the gesture.

"Color Guard, Reform."
The color guard returns to their halting point at the front of the audience.

"Color Guard, About Face."
The color guard turn about and face their entry point.

"Color Guard, Retreat."
The color guard retreats to their entry point.

"Scouts, At Ease."
The Scouts and audience take their seats.

"Color Guard, Be Seated."
The color guard rejoin the rest of the unit in the seating area.

Retiring the Colors (by the Color Guard Commander):

"Please stand for the retirement of Colors."

"Scouts, Attention."
All Scouts stand at attention.

"Color Guard, Fall in."

The color guard assembles at the rear of the room.

"Color Guard, Advance."
Color Guard advances to front of audience.

"Color Guard, Halt."

"Color Guard, Cross."
The color guard cross and approach the flag stands.

"Scouts, Salute."
The Color Guard stays at attention. Color Guard Commander and Scouts Salute.
Scouts salute the flag any time it is in motion.

"Color Guard, Retrieve the Colors."

The U.S. flag is removed from it's stand after all other flags have been.  Color guard remains by the stands.

"Color Guard, Reform."

The color guard returns to their halting point at the front of the audience. The U.S. flag goes first and takes it's place at the right.

"Color Guard, About Face."

The color guard turn about and face their entry point.

"Color Guard, Retreat."

The color guard retreats to their entry point.

"Two."

Once the flag has left the room or is no longer in motion, commander issues the command.

Upon this command, Scouts lower their arm smartly to their side from the salute.

"Scouts, Dismissed."

Scouts are released from attention and the ceremony is concluded.

1. Please stand for the presentation of Colors.
2. Scouts, Attention.
3. Color Guard, Attention.
4. Scouts, Salute.
5. Color Guard, Advance.
6. Color Guard, Halt.
7. Color Guard, Cross.
8. Color Guard, Post the Colors.
9. Will the audience please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
10. "I pledge allegiance..."
11. Two
12. Color Guard, Reform.
13. Color Guard, About Face.
14. Color Guard, Retreat.
15. Scouts, At Ease.
16. Color Guard, Be Seated.

Raise the flag briskly, lower it slowly. When flying the flag at half mast, raise it to the top of the pole, then lower it to half mast. When taking the flag down from half mast, first raise it back to the top of the pole, then lower it slowly. On Memorial Day, fly the flag at half-mast until noon then raise it to full staff for the rest of the day.