K of C Monroe Council 2079 at 90 Carpenter Place, Monroe, NY 10950 US - Flag Retirement Ceremony Transcript

Flag Retirement Ceremony June 12, 2004 Background and preparation: A small, modest fire is built and lit in advance, being given sufficient time to burn down almost to coals. One tattered flag will be flying on the flagpole. All other worn, tattered or faded flags will be cut in four pieces ahead of time and placed on the preparation table. KofC color corp will lead the team in silent procession into the ceremony grounds. Audience is standing. Opening Prayer: "Dear Lord, While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free, Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. Amen." Emcee: For more that 200 years, our Flag has been the Emblem of Liberty for generation after generation of Americans. So long as the “Principles of Truth, Justice and Charity for All” remain deeply rooted in human hearts, Our Flag shall continue to be the enduring Banner of the United States of America. Let us join in the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag. Scout Salute. Color Corp Present Sword. All recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Scouts: To. Color Corp Carry Sword. Emcee: Please be seated. Pause The following is a direct quotation from the beginning of Title 36, Section 176, of the United States Code: “No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America.” Furthermore, Paragraph (K) of this same Title 36, Section 176, states: “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, preferably by burning.” Pause. Then motion to the flagpole. This flag you see flying before you has been used so much that it is no longer a fitting emblem to display, so we are respectfully retiring it. Color Guard, retire the colors. Pause. Scout Salute. KofC Color Corp present sword. Scouts 1 & 2 lower the flag from the flag pole. Taps is played. Scouts: To. Color Corp: Carry Sword. Return Sword. Scouts 1 & 2 bring retired flag to prepared table and cut each stripe individually and cut out the blue field of stars. As the flag colors are being separated, the following is read: I AM YOUR FLAG. I was born on June 14, 1777. I am form that cloth just shaped into a design. I am the refuge of the world’s oppressed people. I am the silent sentinel of freedom. I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth. I am the inspiration for which American Patriots gave their lives and fortunes. I have led sons and daughters into battle from Valley Forge to the blistering desert of the Arabian Peninsula. I walked in silence with each of your honored dead to their final resting place beneath the silent white crosses row upon row. I have flown through peace and war, strife and prosperity, and amidst it all, I have been respected. “Old Glory” is my nickname. Proudly I wave on high. Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and your fortunes. Never let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position lest I never return. Keep alight the fires of patriotism, strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy. Worship Eternal God and keep His commandments, and I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all people. For, I AM YOUR FLAG. Stop here until the flag’s colors are completely separated, then continue. Scouts begin to burn the stripes. First Stripe: The 13 stripes stand for the original 13 colonies which are: Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey. Second Stripe: The white stands for purity and signifies the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons and daughters. Third Stripe: The red stands for courage and symbolizes the blood that was shed in defense of this glorious nation. 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, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.” Seventh Strip: “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal. They are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable 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 to this continent a new nation.” Eleventh Stripe: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. 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.” Field of Blue: The blue of my flag is for faith and loyalty, like the eternal blue of the star-filled heavens. Each state is being represented by a star on a field of blue, which signifies a new constellation being formed. As we place it in the fire, let it burn brightly and remind us how truly our flag represents our country. Will you please stand and join in singing one verse of “God Bless America.” “God Bless America” is sung. Thank You. Please be seated. The audience is now offered the opportunity to come up one-by-one to place a portion of the other separated flag colors on the fire. Direct where in the audience the sequence should begin. As this is happening, state the following: Once cooled, the ashes from this fire will be placed in a container and buried. A small portion of the ashes will be retained until next year and reverently added to the fire during the ceremony. Continue this until all separated flags have been burned. Color Guard, please post the new colors. Please stand. Scout Salute. Color Corp Draw sword, carry sword, present sword. The new colors are raised in silence. Once fully raised… Please join us in singing two verses of “America the Beautiful.” This concludes our flag retirement ceremony. Thank you for attending.

(Back)