The subject of flag retirement ceremonies can spark heated debates in various circles.   Like discussions of religion and politics, the flag and flag retirements evoke strong feelings in a lot of people.  Many are willing to tell you that their way is the only way.  So who’s to say which elements of flag retirement ceremonies are correct and which are not?  Who is the "authority" on flag retirements?

Regarding flag retirement, U.S. Federal Code Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 176(k) simply reads; "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."   The SAR recommended ceremony regarding flag retirements appears in the following sections.

In researching US laws pertaining to the flag, nowhere is there cited official policy statements regarding flag retirements.  The simple statement in the above mentioned code being the only official guidelines, many misconceptions are revealed.

Common misconceptions

Many well intended and patriotic people have deep seated ideas about how flag retirements are suppose to be done.  Most of their ideas make wonderful flag retirement ceremonies, but are not necessarily fact when it comes to what MUST be done.   Again, the simple statements of the US Flag Code are the only rules we must follow.   That said, the following common misconceptions are disproved.

Misconceptions:

• The flag must be cut up before retiring.

The Flag Code does not say anything about cutting up the flag.  A version of the BSA publication "Our Flag" did state "cut it into small pieces that will burn easily and completely on a modest, but blazing fire."   The conclusion to this lack of comment on cutting up the flag can mean; you may cut or not cut the flag as long as the flag is retired in a "dignified" manner.



• If the flag is cut, it must be done with scissors, not ripped or cut with a knife.

If this is your custom, it is great that you have such respect that you have developed specific customs for flag retirements.  Be aware that others may have a custom that says the flag should only be ripped, not cut.  Also know that there is a number of very patriotic people who feel that cutting or ripping the flag in any manner is a desecration of the flag and they will be biting their tongues hard as you do so.  (If you do cut the flag, perhaps you may want to consider doing this prior to the ceremony in consideration of those who might find this part traumatic.)

• Only certain organizations are authorized to retire flags.

A number of people believe that only veterans or patriotic organizations, military organizations, and scouting groups can or should retire flags.  However, any organization or individual may retire a flag in a ceremony, or in their backyard by themselves.  (Common sense may tell you that if you do it by yourself that maybe you should do it in private so others who happen to see don’t mistake your dignified service for unpatriotic desecration.)

• Flag retirements should only be done in a ceremony, only on a separate campfire, the fire should not be used for anything else, the ashes should be buried, etc.

All of these, when explained to others, are good ways to demonstrate your own customs and your respect for our flag.  However, they are just that, your customs.   There are many different flag retirement ceremonies with differing elements in each.   Generally groups and organizations evolve and refine what makes their customs feel patriotic, respectful, and dignified.

• Only people over 18 may handle the flag during flag retirement ceremonies.

Not true

• The flag must be retired by burning.

The flag code says "PREFERABLY by burning", meaning that burying, or other method can be done when burning is not feasible.

Pass along your traditions, but teach respect too!

As we see, the US Flag Code allows just about any type of flag retirement ceremony.   That doesn’t mean we can’t have our traditions.  Teach your traditions to your children and grand-children, and tell them why they are important to you and your unit.  Tell your audience, "this is our custom, and other groups may have different customs."

The key is respect.  Respect for our flag, and our country.   Respect for others.  There are many different flag retirement ceremonies you can conduct, and you could certainly design a ceremony yourself.   The only requirement is that you conduct the ceremony in a "dignified" manner.   Do this, and most people will be sincerely moved.

This article was adapted from a copyrighted work by Les Donoho, which can be viewed in it's entirety at http://members.aol.com/StanDCmr/flagret.html

This is a ceremony, normally conducted as part of Flag Day observances, providing for the dignified disposal of U.S. Flags which are so soiled, faded, tattered or torn as to be inappropriate for further display.

The ceremony, for the greatest effect, should take place out-of-doors, at night.   However, most assuredly, the ceremony could take place during daylight hours.   Compatriots and guests are to be assembled in parallel lines about 20-25 feet apart.   (See the diagram below.)   Participating officers, Color Guard, Flag Disposal Detail, bugler, and Firing Squad are to take designated positions, highlighted by prearranged, appropriate lighting.  A low-burning, grated fire and open-faced kerosene containers -- one on each side of the fire, if two are needed, safely distanced from the fire -- should be in place prior to commencement of the ceremony.

Ceremony Placement Diagram

At the commencement of the ceremony, the President faces the Master-at-Arms.   The assemblage, in general, is standing "At Ease".

President:  "Master-at-Arms, report!"

Master-at-Arms:  "Compatriot President, we have a number of unserviceable Flags of our great nation for inspection and appropriate disposal."

President:  "Former President _________________ and Vice President _________________ please conduct an inspection of the flags presented for disposal."

The Former President (FP) and Vice President (VP) close toward one another, turn and march together toward the Flag Disposal Detail, halting two paces before the Master-at-Arms (MAA).  The MAA calls his detail to attention as the FP and the VP close the detail.  The MAA advances one pace once the FP and the VP are in place and faces the FP.

Master-at-Arms:  "Former President _________________ we present these unserviceable flags for your inspection."

Former President:  "Master-at-Arms, are these unserviceable flags in their present condition as a result of usual service as the emblem of our great nation?"

Master-at-Arms:  "These flags have become soiled, faded, tattered, or torn while marking the graves of our beloved, departed compatriots and of our honored veterans, men and women of all branches of our military services, the dead of all our nation's wars!"

The FP can then inspect the flags to his satisfaction, returning to his position before the MAA.  (The MAA should accompany the FP on his inspection.)

Former President:  "Thank you, Master-at-Arms."
The FP turns to the VP.

Former President:  "Vice President _________________, conduct your inspection."

Master-at-Arms:  "Vice President _________________ we present these unserviceable flags, which have been inspected by Former President _________________, for your additional inspection."

Vice President:  "Master-at-Arms, have any of these flags served purposes other than those you mentioned to Former President _________________?"

Master-at-Arms:  "Some of these flags have been flown proudly from flagstaffs before the homes of our individual citizens in rememberance of our several national holidays and from public and commercial flagpoles as a constant reminder of the greatness of these United States of America!"

The VP can then inspect the flags to his satisfaction, returning to his position before the MAA.  (The MAA should accompany the VP on his inspection.)

Vice President:  "Thank you, Master-at-Arms."

Following the questioning of the MAA and the inspections of the flags by the FP and VP, the FP and VP about face, cross over, and march to stand before the President.

President:  "Have the two of you conducted inspections of the unserviceable flags?"

Former President and Vice President: "We have!"

President:  "Vice President _________________ what are your findings, and what do you recommend?"

Vice President:  "Compatriot President, I find that these flags have become unserviceable as a result of proud and worthy service.  I recommend they be honorably retired from further service and appropriately destroyed."

President:  "Thank you, Vice President.  Former President _________________, what are your findings and what do you recommend?"

Former President:  "Compatriot President, I find that these flags have become unserviceable ... soiled, faded, tattered or torn as a result of their use in paying honor and tribute to our departed compatriots and deceased military veterans.   I, too, recommend that they be destroyed with solemn dignity."

President:  "Thank you, Former President __________________.   You two may return to your initial stations."

The FP and VP about face, cross over and return to their respective initial stations.   Once they are in place, the President addresses the assemblage.  

President:  "My fellow compatriots and friends.  We have had presented here these flags of our great nation; flags which have previously provided proud and worthy service; flags which have paid tribute to our honored dead.   They have been inspected and found to be no longer serviceable.  It has been recommended that they be appropriately destroyed with solemn dignity.   This, we shall do.

"As you all well know, the flag of the United States is flown in all sizes -- from the extremely small to the magnificently large -- and is made from many types of fabric, from the cheapest of gauze to the finest of silk.  Yet, despite its size, material or intrinsic value, the true, priceless worth of our great flag is that it serves as the visible symbol of the ideal aspirations of the people of the United States -- freedom, liberty, and justice -- within a nation of the people, by the people and for the people.

"In retiring these no longer serviceable symbols of our wonderful nation, let us replace them in their duties with new, fresh, bright flags of equal size and kind.   May the replacements amplify our pride in the showing and flying of our beautiful national colors!

"Master-at-Arms, assemble the Color Guard on your Flag Disposal Detail, proceed to the burn site, and destroy these flags by burning.

"Compatriots and friends, Stand at attention!"

The Flag Disposal Detail about faces.  The Color Guard forms on the Detail.   Preceded by the Color Guard, the Detail marches down center to the burn site.   National Colors cross over and take position on the right of the fire, facing the President.  Chapter Colors take position on the left of the fire.   The Detail forms up behind the fire, which is burning low.

President:  "The Chaplain will offer prayer."

Chaplain:  "Our Dear Heavenly Father, Commander over all, we ask that you bless and consecrate this special occasion.

"We thank Thee for our country and the many ideals for which it stands and for our flag, which visibly sybolizes our nation's aspirations.

"To clean and purging flame we commit these flags ... flags no longer serviceable due to their long previous honorable and worthy service.  As they give up their substance to the fire, may your Spirit touch all of us, renewing and strengthening our dedication and devotion to our great United States of America.   Amen."

President:  "Hand Salute!"

Color Guards present arms.  Chapter colors are dipped.  All officers, guests and compatriots, except those on the Flag Disposal Detail, salute.   Members of the Flag Disposal Detail dip the unserviceable flags in kerosene and place them on a rack over the fire.  The bugler sounds To the Colors.

President:  (At the conclusion of the bugle call) "Two!"
[If the situation is correct, neighbors aware of what you plan to do, and if a firing squad as well as a bugler is available, you could replace "To the Colors" in the ceremony with the firing squad firing three volleys followed by the bugler sounding "Taps".]

Following "Two!", the Color Guard resumes its station, and members of the Flag Disposal Detail resumes formation behind the fire.

The Color Guard advances up center and places Colors.  With Colors in place the President closes the ceremony.

President:  "My fellow Compatriots and friends.  This completes our ceremony.  Thank you all very much for sharing in this special Flag Day event!"
 

1.  Should the chapter find itself with insufficient personnel/materiel support to meet the proposed needs for conducting such a ceremony, modify the ceremony as necessary and improvise/substitute as appropriate.   Be flexible!  You can still conduct a most meaningful and solemn ceremony.

Suggestions:  Borrow a chaplain from some veterans' organization or church.   Use Boy Scouts in your Color Guard and/or Flag Disposal Detail.  Use taped music/loudspeaker instead of a bugler.

2.   Invite the public and other organizations who conduct such ceremonies, Boy Scouts, Veterans Organizations, Elks Clubs, National Guard and Reserve Units, to attend your ceremony and be supportive of other organizations when they conduct similar ceremonies.

Suggestion:  Work with your United Veterans Council or other local activities-coordinating organizations to set up a rotation for the annual conduct of such ceremonies.   The SAR would conduct the ceremony one year and then support the American Legion, Boy Scouts, Elks, etc. when it is their turn to conduct the ceremony.


Administered by the National Society's Americanism Committee