Flag Allegiance and Ceremony
It is important for the Den Leader to know that during the pledge of allegiance the boy’s that are in uniform are to salute the flag with the Cub Scout salute, while the boys out of uniform are to place there hand over their heart. This is the same for the Den Leaders. Caps and hats that are NOT part of the Cub uniform are to be removed before the pledge of allegiance. The following is what is said and done by the Cub Scouts during the “presentation of colors” (opening flag ceremony) and the “retrieval of colors” (closing flag ceremony). Flag Opening CeremonyPrior to the Pack meeting the Cubs need to put flag stands in place at the front of the room. Looking to the front, the U.S. flag stand should be placed on the left and Pack flag stand (if you have one) is placed on the right. Also prior to the meeting the Cubs that will be apart of the Color Guard(s) are chosen (2-4 for each Color Guard). The U.S. flag Color Guard boys line up in single file at the back of the room on the right. The Pack flag color guard does the same only they are positioned at the back on the left. (See example shown below)
A Cub is chosen to conduct the ceremony and stands at the front of the room. This Cub begins the ceremony by announcing “Color Guard, attention” and then proceeds with each command as shown below. Each of the color guards lines march forward – the Pack flag will come up the left side of the room and the U.S. flag will come up the right side. They will pass each other as they march to their proper position in front of their respective flag stand. When the Color Guard reaches their positions they are commanded to halt. The command to “post colors” is given and the boy holding the U.S. flag places it in the stand first and then the boy holding the Pack flag places it in the stand second. They then both return to their respective color guard unit. They then turn and face the flag and salute. The audience is asked to repeat the pledge of allegiance. After the pledge of allegiance the salute ends with the command of “two” and the Color Guard is then dismissed.
Flag Closing CeremonyThe closing ceremony is done in like manner – the boys start in the rear of the room and march forward on command and then are halted. On command they salute the flag. Then a single boy retrieves the U.S. flag first and then falls back into line with the other boys. The Pack flag is then retrieved and that boy falls back in line. The salute ends with the command “Two”. The Color Guard with the U.S. flag then marches off followed by the Pack flag Color Guard.
The U.S. flag
Displaying the flag
When displaying the flag in a manner other than on poles and in flag stands it is important to know the proper way to display it. The following shows how a flag should be hung when placed on a wall or hung from a rope:
Folding the flag
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