Guidelines for Conducting Flag Ceremonies,
Days Two through Six
Preparations
At the Day One Gilwell Field assembly, a staff color guard conducted the flag-raising ceremony, setting the tone and providing an appropriate model for subsequent flag ceremonies.
During the remainder of the Wood Badge course, the program patrol takes responsibility for the flag ceremony. The program patrol will have had program responsibilities since the previous day’s Gilwell Field assembly; that should give them time to plan and practice the ceremony, and obtain the appropriate historic flag from the quartermaster.
Readings and lyrics of the songs associated with historic flags are provided. Note that only those historic flags that were a flag of our Nation are saluted when they are raised.
Gilwell Field Flag Raising Procedure
After the senior patrol leader reports to the Scoutmaster, “The troop is formed,” the scoutmaster replies, “Proceed with the flag ceremony.”
The senior patrol leader directs, “Program Patrol, raise the colors.”
The patrol leader of the program patrol takes charge, calling the members of the troop to attention.
The color guard approaches the flagpole and attaches the US Flag to the center lanyard. The patrol leader asks the troop members to make the Scout salute, and then instructs the color guard to “Raise the colors.” The U.S. flag should be hoisted rapidly. As soon as it is at the top of the flagpole, the patrol leader then leads the troop in the pledge of allegiance, when finished the patrol leader commands “two.”
The patrol then raises the Troop 1 flag on the audience’s right.
On days three through six the program patrol will lead the troop in reciting the Scout Oath and Law.
The patrol then attaches the historic flag on the lanyard on the audience’s left and makes its presentation (attached to the lanyard and held out so it can be seen) of the historic flag. After the presentation the historic flag is raised. The Star-Spangled Banner and the 46–Star flags are saluted and raised rapidly, as they are still recognized as official flags of the United States of America. The program patrol leads the group in singing a song associated with the historic flag. When completed the program patrol returns to its position in the troop assembly.
Note: each lanyard has a stop knot, which goes to the top. Its purpose is to prevent the flag from getting pulled into the pulley.
Gilwell Field Flag Lowering Procedure
There is a formal closing on Days 3 and 6 of the course. On Day 3 after the singing of Gilwell song the program patrol color guard will advance and lead Troop1 in reciting the Scout Oath and Law. Then the program patrol will retire the colors. On Day 6, at the order of the Senior Patrol Leader the program patrol will lower the flags.
There is not a troop retreat on days 1,2,4 and 5 of the Wood Badge course. The program patrol will lower the colors and other flags prior to dinner of each day. The color guard will call the troop to attention (for those present).
All flags of the United States current and previous will be lowered slowly and saluted as they are lowered. Once lowered the color guard will say two. The program patrol will then lower the remaining flags, fold all the flags and return them to the Quartermaster.
Flag Storage
Flags can be picked up from the Quartermaster at Breakfast
Days 2,3: Lawrence Lodge porch
Day 4: Lass Lodge porch
Day 5: Scout Lodge porch
Day 6: Quartermaster on Gilwell Field at Activity
Flags can be returned to the Quartermaster before dinner
Days 1,2,3: Lawrence Lodge
Days 4,5: Scout Lodge
Day 6: SA Program on Gilwell Field at Activity
Historic American Flag Presentation
Day 1
The Continental Flag / Grand Union (striped with cross union)
A nation’s flag is a stirring sight as it flies in the wind, representing a country’s land, its people, its government, and its ideals. The Egyptians flew the first flag like symbols thousands of years ago, and people have been flying them since.
While many flags have flown over what is now the United States of America, the first flag to represent the colonies was 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 was also the first American flag to be saluted by another country—the Netherlands.
(Note: this flag is NOT saluted as it is raised.)
Let us 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!
Historic American Flag Presentation
Day 2
The SERAPIS Flag
Designed with 13 stripes alternating red, white, and blue, this flag was raised by Capt. John Paul Jones on the British frigate Serapis during the most famous navel battle of the Revolutionary War.
In 1779, after conducting sea raids on the coast of Britain, Jones took command of a rebuilt French merchant ship that had been renamed the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard in honor of Benjamin Franklin. In September of that same year, Jones engaged the British frigate Serapis in the North Sea, sailing in close, lashing his vessel to the British ship, and fighting the battle at point-blank range. During the fight, two cannon burst on the Bonhomme Richard. The British captain asked Jones if he was ready to surrender. Jones replied, “Sir, I have not yet begun to fight!” Eventually it was the crew of the Serapis that surrendered, though the Bonhomme Richard was severely damaged. The Americans sailors boarded the Serapis and watched from the decks as the Bonhomme Richard sank beneath the waves.
(Note: this flag is NOT saluted)
Let us honor this flag with a song that also honors America:
Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean
O, Columbia, the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to thee.
Thy mandates make heroes assemble,
When Liberty's form stands in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
Historic American Flag Presentation
Day 3
The Star-Spangled Banner
By 1795, Vermont and Kentucky had joined the Union, bringing the number of states to 15. The new flag, featuring 15 stars and 15 stripes, flew over the nation for the next 23 years and the administrations of five presidents. It was this flag that flew over Fort McHenry that memorable night of its bombardment by the British in 1814, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the verses of our national anthem.
The actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry that night is now preserved in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
(Note: The Star-Spangle banner was a Flag of our nation
and is therefore saluted when raised)
Let us honor the flag by singing the first verse of the song it inspired.
The Star-Spangled Banner
O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light?
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantry streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there!
O say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Historic American Flag Presentation
Day 4
46-Star Flag
By 1908, the United States of America had grown to encompass states from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Nearly all of the territory in between had also been recognized with statehood. And when Oklahoma joined the Union, the U.S. flag changed to include 46 stars, a design that would last for only four years and the administrations of two presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft.
For us, there is further significance. This is the flag that was flying over America in 1910 when the Boy Scouts of America had its beginnings.
(Note: The 46-Star Flag was a Flag of our nation
and is therefore saluted when raised)
Let us honor this flag with a song that also honors our nation; let us honor our nation with a song that also honors the land.
“God Bless America”
God Bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam—
God bless America! My home, sweet home.
God Bless America! My home, sweet home.
Historic American Flag Presentation
Day 5
The Flag of 1777 (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 thirteen United States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representating 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.
(Note: Not saluted. This was a popular design but not the official flag.
The first Official Flag of the United States of America)
Let us honor this flag with a song that also honors America:
America
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.
Historic American Flag Presentation
Day 6
New Jersey State Flag
The beautiful buff color of the New Jersey State flag dates all the way back to 1779 and the New Jersey Regiments mustered for the Revolutionary War. The color was chosen by General George Washington when he was directed by the Continental Congress to prescribe the uniform for the regiments of the New Jersey Continental Line. General Washington directed that the coats of the soldiers should be dark blue faced with buff. These colors were chosen by General Washington to honor the original Dutch settlers of New Jersey. Dark Blue (Jersey Blue) and Buff were the colors of Holland or the Netherlands.
On February 28, 1780, the Continental War Officers directed that each regiment should carry two flags; one that of the United States and the other a state flag that should be the color of the Uniform facing and the New Jersey State Flag has carried that color with it for over 200 years.
In 1896, New Jersey made it official and properly described the New Jersey State Flag in a joint resolution of the legislature. The flag is described as "... shall be of a buff color, having in the center thereof the Arms of the state properly emblazoned thereon." The state coat of arms has a shield with three plows and a horse's head above it. Two women represent the goddesses of Liberty and Agriculture. A ribbon at the bottom includes the year of independence in 1776 and reads: Liberty and Prosperity.
I'm From New Jersey
Written & Music by Red Mascara
Verse (Ad lib)
I know of a state that's a perfect playland with white sandy beaches by the sea;
With fun-filled mountains, lakes and parks, and folks with hospitality;
With historic towns where battles were fought, and presidents have made their home;
It's called New Jersey, and I toast and tout it wherever I may roam. 'Cause . . .
First Chorus
I'M FROM NEW JERSEY and I'm proud about it, I love the Garden State.
I'M FROM NEW JERSEY and I want to shout it, I think it's simply great.
All of the other states throughout the nation may mean a lot to some;
But I wouldn't want another, Jersey is like no other, I'm glad that's where I'm from.
Second Chorus
If you want glamour, try Atlantic City or Wildwood by the sea;
Then there is Trenton, Princeton, and Fort Monmouth, they all made history.
Each little town has got that certain something, from High Point to Cape May;
And some place like Mantoloking, Phillipsburg, or Hoboken will steal your heart away.
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