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History of the
Disposal of Unserviceable Flags
Ceremony for the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags
The Post assembles in meeting, out-of-doors, at night. Members
are aligned in two parallel rows about twenty feet apart, facing
each other. Officers at their stations as shown. A small fire is
burning opposite the Commander and beyond the rows of members.
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Comrade
Commander, we wish to present a number of unserviceable Flags of
our Country for inspection and disposal."
Commander: "Comrade Sergeant-at-Arms
advance with your detail and present the Flags for disposal and
inspection."
(Sergeant-at-Arms calls his detail to attention.
They form at the Post of the Sergeant-at-Arms, take the Flags which
are to be inspected march abreast down center until opposite the
Second Vice-Commander, turn right and halt two paces in front of
the Second Vice-Commander. The Sergeant-at-Arms steps one pace forward
and salutes.)
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Comrade
Vice-Commander, we present these unserviceable Flags for your inspection."
Second Vice-Commander: "Is
the present condition of these Flags the result of their usual service
as the Emblem of our Country?"
Sergeant-at-Arms: "These
Flags have become faded and worn over the graves of our departed
comrades and the soldier and sailor dead of all our nation's wars."
Second Vice-Commander: "Present
these Flags to the First Vice-Commander for his inspection."
(The Sergeant-at-Arms salutes, about faces, commands the detail),
"About Face," (crosses behind the detail and takes his
post at its left, commands) "Forward March." (The detail
marches to within two paces of the First Vice-Commander, halts and
proceeds as before.)
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Comrade
Vice-Commander, we present these Flags which have been inspected
by the Second Vice-Commander, for your further inspection."
First Vice-Commander: "Have
any of these Flags served any other purpose?"
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Some
of these Flags have been displayed in various public places."
First Vice-Commander: "Present them to the Commander for final
inspection and fitting disposal."
(The Sergeant-at-Arms salutes, about faces,
commands the detail), "About Face," (crosses behind the
detail and takes position on its left commands), "Forward March."
(The detail marches to center, turns left, halts within two paces
of the Commander, Sergeant-at-Arms steps one pace forward and salutes.)
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Comrade
Commander, we have the honor to present for final inspection and
proper disposal these Flags of our Country."
Commander: "Have these
Flags been inspected by the First and Second Vice-Commanders?"
Sergeant-at-Arms: "They
have.
Commander: "Comrade Second
Vice-Commander, what does your inspection show and what do you recommend?"
Second Vice-Commander: "Comrade
Commander, since these Flags have become unserviceable in a worthy
cause, I recommend that they be honorably retired from further service."
Commander: "Comrade First
Vice-Commander, what does your inspection show and what do you recommend?"
First Vice-Commander: "Comrade
Commander, since these Flags have become faded and worn in a tribute
of service and love, I also recommend that they be fittingly destroyed."
Commander: "Comrades, we
have presented here these Flags of our Country which have been inspected
and condemned as unserviceable. They have reached their present
state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love.
"A Flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful
banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great;
but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol
of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and
died for-a free Nation of free men, true to the faith of the past,
devoted to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom and Democracy.
"Let these faded Flags of our Country be retired and destroyed
with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by
bright new Flags of the same size and kind, and let no grave of
our soldier or sailor dead be unhonored and unmarked. Sergeant-at-Arms,
assemble the Color Guard, escort the detail bearing the Flags and
destroy these Flags by burning. The members shall stand at attention."
(Color Guard forms. The detail about faces.
Preceded by the Color Guard the detail marches down center to the
fire. National Colors cross over and take position on the right
of the fire, facing the Commander. Post Standard takes position
on left of fire. The detail lines up behind the fire, which is burning
low.)
Commander: "The Chaplain
will offer prayer."
Chaplain: "Almighty God,
Captain of all hosts and Commander over all, bless and consecrate
this present hour.
"We thank Thee for our Country and its Flag, and for the liberty
for which it stands.
"To clean and purging flame we commit these Flags, worn-out
in worthy service. As they yield their substance to the fire, may
Thy Holy Light spread over us and bring to our hearts renewed devotion
to God and Country. Amen."
Commander: "Hand salute."
(Color Guards present arms. Post Standard
is dipped. All officers and members except those on the Flag detail
salute. Members of the Flag detail dip the condemned Flags in kerosene
and place them on a rack over the fire).
(Bugler sounds "To the Colors.")
Commander: (at conclusion of
"To the Colors") "Two."
(The Color Guard shall resume its station
and detail is dismissed.)
(Color Guard advances down center and places
Colors. Members of the detail resume their places among the members.)
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