How to Conduct a Flag Ceremony

The flag of the United States of America symbolizes our country, our shared ideals and our fellow citizens. It should be treated with dignity and respect.

So how exactly do you do that? You follow flag etiquette. Below are guidelines for respecting and caring for this American symbol.

Some of these guidelines include knowing how to display the flag properly. That’s important when conducting a flag ceremony. At a campout, a unit meeting or community event, your unit can perform one.

FLAG CEREMONY SCRIPT

Here’s an outline for a simple ceremony:

1. Two Scouts stand at the back of the room, each holding a flag; the Scout with the American flag stands to the right. The leader stands behind them or at the front of the room.
2. The leader says, “Color guard, attention” and “Audience, please rise. Scout salute.” The Scouts raise their flags so the poles are at a 45-degree angle and the ends are near their belt buckles. Don’t let the American flag touch the ground or anything beneath the flag.
3. The leader says, “Color guard, post the colors.” The Scouts with the flags walk to the front of the room. When they get near the front, the Scout with the American flag crosses in front of the other Scout. They place the flags in their stands then step back and salute. The American flag should be on the right or to the audience’s left.
4. The leader says, “Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance” and then leads the pledge.
5. The leader says, “Two,” and everyone stops saluting. The leader says, “Color guard, re-form and return to ranks.” The flag carriers line up at the front of the room and walk back to their starting position.
6. The leader says, “Color guard, at ease” and “Please be seated.”

After the flag ceremony, the program for the event continues as planned.

CUB SCOUT FLAG CEREMONY

For younger Scouts and Cub Scouts, a flag ceremony can be even simpler. Watch the following video to see how: