Egyptian Standards as shown by Project Guttenberg
Any nation’s flag can be a stirring sight as it flies in the wind, representing their country, land, people, government, or that country’s ideals. Flags have been used a long time. The Egyptians carried tribal standards thousands of years ago. Since them people have been carrying or flying flag like symbols ever since.
Many folks are surprised that I take Flag Day so seriously, but I do. At my home, for the last 22 years, I have posted historic flags along with our current flag every day from Flag day to the 24th of July (see photo above).
In the USA, our Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. The date commemorates the adoption of the flag by the Second Continental Congress on that day in 1777. However nothing really came of that date for nearly 100 years until an educator, BJ Cigrand, arranged for his pupils to celebrate it as the flags “Birthday.”
Growing up we didn’t have a flag at home, but my patrol had their own. I loved that little flag. Then serving on camp staff and in the military I gained a greater love for the flag. But it wasn’t until I was on a junior leader training (now called NYLT) course with Steve Frisby, that I became a flag fanatic.
Steve owned a dozen or so historic flags and brought them to the training course. There was a scripted ceremony and song for each of the six days we were on the course. Let me share:
The British Union flag, sometimes called the Union Jack, was carried by the Jamestown settlers in 1607 and by the pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620.
Today, it is the official flag of the United Kingdom. Its design can be found in the Hawaii flag and several flags of other nations, including New Zealand and Australia.
The Queen Anne Flag moved the British red ensign, to the upper left corner and was adopted at the Queen’s request to be the flag for England’s American colonies in 1707. Technically it was our first “national flag.”
To honor this flag sing: My Country ’tis of Thee
My country, ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From ev’ry mountainside
Let freedom ring!
The Continental or Grand Union
While many flags have flown over what is now the United States of America, the first flag to represent all the colonies in seperation from England, was known as the Continental Colors, also called the Cambridge Flag or the Grand Union Flag. This flag, on which the British flag appeared at the upper left, was the unofficial American flag in 1775 and 1776. On New Year’s Day 1776, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, George Washington chose it to be flown to celebrate the formation of the Continental Army. Later that year, it became the first American flag to be saluted by another country-the Netherlands
You can honor this flag with a song that also honors America: “America the Beautiful”
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
The Flag of 1777 or Betsy Ross Flag
With the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the new American nation needed a flag of its own. On June 14, 1777 Congress passed this resolution:
“Resolved: That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
Each star and each stripe represented one of the colonies that would become the United States. The Flag of 1777 flew over the young nation for 18 years. George Washington was the only president to serve under this banner. To this day, June 14, the birthday of our flag, is celebrated each year as Flag Day.
Honor this flag with a song that also honors America: “America the Beautiful”
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
CUB SCOUT INTEREST TOPIC Your Flag A good place to start is with the BSA publication, Your Flag, No. 33188, available at Scoutstuff.org or your local Scout shop. Learn the proud history and etiquette of the American flag. The book includes information on proper display of the flag, flag ceremonies, and situations to avoid. THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA After the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Americans realized they needed a national flag to take the place of all the individual banners carried by the various regiments—a flag that would symbolize the newly created union of states. Finally, on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the following brief resolution: “RESOLVED, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: That the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” Captain Samuel C. Reid, U.S. Navy, who commanded the General Armstrong during the War of 1812, suggested to Congress that the stripes be fixed at 13 to represent the original colonies and that a star be added to the blue field for every state coming into the union. Congress passed this into law on July 4, 1818; one star for each new state would be added to the flag on the next Fourth of July following the state’s admission. DISPLAYING THE FLAG When the national flag is displayed flat, either horizontally or vertically, on a wall or in a window, the union (blue field) should be at the top and to the observer’s left when facing the flag. When displayed from a staff projecting from a windowsill, balcony, or the front of a building, the union (blue field) should be at the staff’s peak (unless the flag is at half-staff). When displayed on a stage or platform, the national flag should be to the speaker’s right. Any other flag is on the speaker’s left. When suspended, the flag should be vertical with the union to the north over an east–west street, and to the east over a north–south street. The flag should be hoisted out union (blue field) first. Flag decals and stickers may be correctly displayed on the inside of motor vehicle side windows. FLAG CARE Be sure flags are dry before storing them. Colors affixed to staffs should be carefully furled, placed in a flag case or boot, or wrapped in plastic—and then stored upright, preferably in a cool, dry, dark place. Iron-on patches make rips and holes easy to repair. They can be bought in fabric departments in colors and various materials to match the flag. Follow the directions on the fabric package. Outdoor flags should be correctly folded and sealed in plastic bags that are moisture- and bug-proof. Store in a safe, cool, and dry place. WEARING THE FLAG • A flag patch may be attached to such uniforms as those of athletes, firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations. The national flag should not be used as a costume or athletic uniform. • Flag lapel pins should be worn on the left lapel near the heart. • Reproductions of the national flag in any medium such as jewelry, pins, buttons, or printed materials must show the union (blue field) on the top and to the observer’s left when facing the flag. FLYING THE FLAG AT HALF-STAFF When flown at half-staff, the flag is hoisted to the peak for an instant, then lowered to the half-staff position (half the distance from the top to the bottom of the staff). Before the flag is lowered for the day, it is raised again to the top, then lowered. If your flag is on an outrigger flagpole or mounted on a wall and cannot be flown at half-staff, it is appropriate to drape a purple and black mourning ribbon across the flag. The flag is flown at half-staff all day on the following days: • December 7—Pearl Harbor Day • May 15—Peace Officers Memorial Day • July 27—Korean War Veterans Armistice Day On Memorial Day, the flag is flown at half-staff only until noon. Then it is raised to the top to be flown until sunset. The U.S. president may also order that the flag be flown at half-staff following the death of someone important to the government, or a state governor. State governors can declare that the flag be flown at half-staff in their state when a former governor of that state dies. 119 FLAG HOLIDAYS You are encouraged to fly the flag on the following holidays: New Year’s Day Inauguration Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Presidents Day Easter Sunday Patriots Day National Day of Prayer Mother’s Day Armed Forces Day Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) Flag Day Father’s Day Independence Day Labor Day Constitution Day Columbus Day Navy Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Election days DESTROYING WORNOUT FLAGS When the national flag is worn beyond repair, burn it thoroughly and completely on a modest but blazing fire. This should be done in a simple manner with dignity and respect. Be sure the flag is reduced to ashes unrecognizable as a former flag. CUB SCOUT FLAG CEREMONY PROTOCOL Flag bearer(s): Cub Scouts who carry the flag(s)—one flag per boy. Hold the staff at a slight angle in front of the body. The bearer of the United States flag marches at the front right of the column (front only if marching in single file). A flag bearer stands silent and at attention throughout the ceremony and does not say the Pledge of Allegiance nor sing the national anthem. Color guard: These Cub Scouts 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 say the Pledge of Allegiance nor sing the national anthem. Color guard commander: This designated Cub Scout “calls out” the parts of the ceremony. He stands in front and to one side of audience. Flag placement: The United States flag is placed to the speaker’s right when on the stage (or to the audience’s left). The second flag (if used) is placed on the opposite side. SUGGESTED COLOR GUARD COMMANDER SCRIPT— OPENING CEREMONY • Color guard, attention! Will the audience please rise? • Hand salute! (Cub Scout salute if in uniform, hand on heart if not in uniform.) • Color guard, advance! (Wait for color guard to reach the front and face the audience.) • Everyone, please join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Recite the pledge together.) • Two! (This is the signal that everyone may put their hands down.) • Cub Scout sign! (All raise their right hands, making the Cub Scout sign.) • Cub Scouts, please join me in saying the Scout Oath: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” • Two! • Color guard, post the colors! Color guard, dismissed. The audience may be seated. COLOR GUARD COMMANDER SCRIPT— CLOSING CEREMONY • Will the audience please rise? • Color guard, advance. • Color guard, retrieve the colors.* • Audience, salute. (Wait until flagsleave the arena.) • Dismissed. * Note that the word is “retrieve,” not “retire.” HOW TO FOLD A FLAG • Fold the flag in half lengthwise. • Fold in half lengthwise again, being careful that the blue field is on the outside. • As one person holds the flag by the blue field, another makes a triangular fold in the opposite end and continues to make triangular folds until the entire flag is in a triangle. • Tuck the loose edge of the flag into the pocket formed by the folds so that only the blue field and white stars are visible. Monthly Pack Activity FLAG RETIREMENT Either perform your own flag retirement ceremony or ask your local council if there is a Boy Scout troop that regularly performs the ceremony. VOLUNTEER TO PLACE FLAGS Check with your local veterans cemetery to see if they would like assistance placing flags for Independence Day. 120 ACTIVITIES TO CONSIDER • Invite your local fire department to a pack meeting. Fire Prevention Month in October would be an opportune time for this. Most fire departments have short presentations developed and could share one with the pack. Be sure to salute the guests while they are there. • Invite your local police department to a pack or den meeting. The police have many different programs, such as a canine dog demonstration, the rescue helicopter, fingerprinting demonstration, and the “Stay Safe” (self-defense) program. Be sure to salute the guests while they are there. • Invite local paramedics or a flight nurse crew to a pack meeting. This could help Cub Scouts to complete the first-aid requirements for an adventure. Be sure to salute the guests while they are there. • Plan a den outing to your local fire or police department. Bring a card or something the Cub Scouts have made as a “thank you,” and salute your hosts when the visit is over. • Plan a den outing to an animal rescue center or Humane Society office. Bring a card or something the Cub Scouts have made as a “thank you,” and salute your hosts when the visit is over. (Remember, the people we salute need not be wearing uniforms.)
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