Flag Retirement

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Retiring the United States Flag

There are many variations in the procedure for of retiring the United States flag when it becomes worn, torn, faded or badly soiled.  They are all base upon the United States Flag Code, Chapter 10, Title 36 Section 176K, "The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way."

Some variations of the procedure follow; A Script for a Scout Ceremony, Ceremony of Final Tribute and Ceremonial Burning from the National Flag Foundation, and a free service that anyone can use for retiring the United States Flag.

Ceremonies

A Script for a Scout Ceremony 

When the United States flag 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. Today we are 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 not 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 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 stripes; 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 represent 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 flags and have them enter one at a time in a slow solemn manner. When the stripe is placed on the fire the Master of Ceremonies reads the state or a Scout reads the saying. It is best to not have the Scout placing the stripe to read the saying.

If you have more than one flag, separate them before into files. Place a stripe from each flag in each of the 13/50 piles. Place all corresponding stripes in the fire simultaneously.

First Stripe "The thirteen stripes stand for the thirteen original colonies which are:

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 tranquility, 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 them on the fire. As the Scout places the star on the fire an adult reads each state in the order they entered the union. The scout 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.

If you have left the field intact, place them on the flame and then read the 50 states.

If you have a small number of flags, or one that has seen special service it is nice to give its history: First Raised (when): At (location): Memorable event or fact:

Note: A scout or leader reads REMEMBER ME?

REMEMBER ME?

Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your Flag, the Flag of the United States of America... Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you... because it is about you and me.

I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the street to watch the parade and naturally I was leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze, when your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so his hand was directly over his heart...remember?

And you, I remember you. Standing there straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. Remember little sister? Not to be outdone she was saluting the same as you with her right hand over her heart...remember?

What happened? I'm still the same old Flag. Oh, I have a few more Stars since you where a boy. A lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago.

But now I don't feel as proud as I used to. When I come down the street you just stand there with your hands in your pockets and I may get a small glance and then you look away. Then I see the children running around and shouting...they don't seem to know who I am...I saw one man take his hat off, then look around, he didn't see anyone else with theirs off so he quickly put his back on.

Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I've been?...Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea, Vietnam, and now the Persian Gulf. Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls sometimes, of those who never came back to keep this Republic free... One Nation Under God...when you salute me, you are actually saluting them.

Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down the street again. So when you see me, stand straight, place your right hand over your heart...and I'll salute you, waving back...and I'll know that... ,

YOU REMEMBERED!

All: "Say pledge of allegiance while flag burns."

Followed by a Taps and then a moment of silence

NOTE: 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.

Ceremony of Final Tribute and Ceremonial Burning from the National Flag Foundation

Ceremony of Final Tribute

Note: Only one Flag, representing all those to be destroyed, should be used in the ceremony.
Two color guards should be used at evening retreat, one for the Flag currently in use and a special color guard for the Flag to be permanently retired.
Just before sunset, the Flag which has been flying all day is retired in the normal, ceremonial procedure for the group or site.
The color guard responsible for the Flag receiving the final tribute moves front and center. The leader should present this color guard with the Flag which has been selected for its final tribute and subsequent destruction. The leader then should instruct the color guard to "hoist the colors".
When the Flag has been secured at the top of the pole, the leader says:

"This Flag has served its nation long and well. It has worn to a condition to which it should no longer be used to represent the nation.
"This Flag represents all of the Flags collected and being retired from service today. We honor them all as we salute one Flag."
The leader then calls the group to attention, orders a salute, leads the entire group in the "Pledge of Allegiance." and orders the Flag retired by the color guard.
Slowly and ceremoniously, the flag is lowered, then respectfully folded in the customary triangle. The Flag is delivered to the leader and then the group is dismissed. This concludes the Ceremony of Final Tribute.

Ceremonial Burning

Note: Fire and Flag Preparation: The burning of a Flag should take place at a campfire in a ceremony separate from the Ceremony of Final Tribute. The fire must be sizable (preferably having burnt down to a bed of red hot coals to avoid having bits of the Flag being carried off by a roaring fire), yet be of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning.

Before the ceremony begins, the color guard assigned to the Flag opens up its tri-corner fold and then refolds it in a coffin-shaped rectangle.

When all is ready:

All assemble around the fire. The leader calls the group to attention.
The color guard comes forward and places the Flag on the fire.
All briskly salute.
After the salute, but while still at attention, the leader should conduct a respectful educational program as the Flag burns: e.g. singing of "God Bless America"; offering an inspiring message of the Flag's meaning followed by the "Pledge of Allegiance"; performing a reading about the Flag; reciting the "American's Creed"; etc.
When the Flag is consumed, those assembled, with the exception of a leader and the color guard, should be dismissed. They should be led out in single file and in silence.
The leader and color guard should remain to ensure that the Flag is completely consumed, and to burn additional Flags, if any.
The fire should then be safely extinguished.

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