Color Guards
Today, Color Guards are ceremonial, but, as in many of our traditions, its origins were
in practical military necessity. The following is a brief history of the
origins of Color Guards.
During the Revolutionary War, flags, referred to as "the colors," were of extreme
military importance. Placed in the center, the line of battle was formed
around them. Through the din and smoke of battle the troops could easily see
where they were expected to be. If the colors advanced they too advanced.
If the colors retired, they too retired.
As the battle raged and casualties mounted, the line contracted toward the colors.
Thusly, the outcome of any given battle was dependent on the handling of the regimental
or brigade colors. The importance of the colors was so significant that
before a battle a ceremony called "The trooping of the colors" was conducted.
The regimental or brigade colors were paraded before the men so that it was certain
each man would easily recognize "his" colors on the field of battle.
Capturing the enemy's colors was a sure way to gain a victory. Without them
a unit had nothing to rally around. To prevent this, a group of the
most valiant men of the regiment were selected to protect the colors and color bearer.
These men comprised the "Color's Guard," a posting of great honor and source of pride.
It was a position of honor then and it is a position of honor now.
The National SAR Color Guard was organized in 1989, when then President General James
R. Westlake called for the creation of such. Each year the National Color
Guard continues to grow as State Societies and Chapters take up the call.
Today we have Color Guard units from the East Coast to the West Coast. Here
are a few images from past events showing the National Color Guard in action.
Photo, courtesy Compatriot Dr. Ralph Nelson (DESSAR)
from the 113th Congress at Chicago, Illinois
The Color Guard lines up before marching into the Memorial Service.
Photo, courtesy Compatriot Dr. Ralph Nelson (DESSAR)
from the 113th Congress at Chicago, Illinois
President General Rice Aston reviews the National SAR Color Guard
Photo, courtesy Compatriot Richard Fowler (FLSSAR)
from the 114th Congress at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Color Guard parading from the Heinz Chapel Memorial Service
As you may have guessed Colonial Color Guards attract a considerable amount of
attention when on parade, at re-enactments, and other public events. Members
of color guards are often asked to come to primary and secondary schools (in uniform) to
talk about the Struggle for Independence and their region's or ancestors' roles in the
founding of our nation. A colorful and patriotic unit may receive
requests for appearance at holiday parades, civic events, and field ceremonies at
athletic events. Often a Color Guardsman will vote in his uniform --
if the local paper was alerted beforehand this may result in an interesting press
account that promotes voting in future elections. One of our units has
helped congratulate new citizens at the ceremony granting them citizenship.
This unit worked with their local DAR chapter, which has a decades-old custom of
honoring such new citizens on the occasion of their committing themselves to our
Constitutional form of government.
The National Color Guard Commander is responsible for arranging events on a National
level. This includes the blending of different units from the various
State and Chapters into parade formation for presentation of the Colors.
The National Color Guard Commander is CDR Charles R. (Chuck) Lampman USN (California Society).
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