Flag Retirement

A set of rules for civilian flag courtesy popularly known as The Flag Code

was first formulated by the National Flag Conference meeting in Washington,D. C., June 14-15, 1923. The Flag Code was an attempt by prominent patriotic organizations to collect together in one instrument: Statutes, executive orders, and rules of established custom and usage relating to the Flag of the United States. On December 22, 1942, Public Law 829 (77th Congress, 2nd Session) was approved, giving official sanction to most of the provisions of The Flag Code. This Public Law established The Flag Code in Title 36, United States Code, Chapter 10, Sections 173-178, including The Flag Code § 176(k) on disposal of unserviceable flags.

The United States Flag Code 36s 176(k) states: "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

The Lt.Colonel Patrick Ferguson Post 1775 will perform this important community service by collecting and overseeing the proper disposal of old, worn, tattered, frayed and/or faded U.S. Flags. The public typically responds very positively to organizations providing this service. The Post intends to make this an annual service project. At present, a campaign of word-of-mouth is conducted as to when and where Flags will be accepted. Future collections may utilize the community newspapers, radio and TV stations to help broadcast the availability of the service. Churches, synagogues, chambers of commerce, civic organizations and businesses may be enlisted to serve as "drop off" locations for the collection of worn flags.

The Scottish American Military Society, Lt. Colonel Patrick Ferguson Post 1775 provides the following guide for conducting a patriotic flag disposal ceremony:

The Ceremony is divided into two elements:

"Ceremony of Final Tribute"

and the
"Ceremony for the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags".

The entire two part ceremony is a fitting tribute to the retirement of unserviceable flags. However, if time and circumstances do not permit the entire ceremony to be performed, the "Ceremony of Final Tribute" may be omitted and the "Ceremony for the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags" can be the only ceremony performed.

"Ceremony of Final Tribute"

(1) One flag is used in the ceremony, which are representative of all the flags to be burned in the service. The remainder of the flags collected should be incinerated after the ceremony.

The ceremony should be conducted out-of-doors, preferably in conjunction with a campfire program, and it should be solemn, special event. The public is encouraged to attend.

The ceremony involves the Post Commander, Past-Commander, Vice-Commander, Chaplain, Sergeant-At-Arms, a color guard, Guidon Bearer, color party (a detail of two persons carrying the flag(s) to be incinerated), an eight person firing party (seven Rifles and a "Squad Leader") and a bugler (recorded field music may be used).

(2) Just before sunset the flag, which has been flying all day, is retired (lowered) in the normal ceremonial procedure for that location-or group.

(3) The color party responsible for the flag receiving the final tribute moves to front and center. The Commander should present this color party with the flag, which has been selected for its final tribute and subsequent destruction. The leader should instruct the color party to "hoist the colors."

(4) The Commander comments: (when the flag has been secured at the top of the pole) "This flag has served its nation well and long. It has worn to a condition in which it should no longer be used to represent the nation. This flag represents all the flags collected and being retired from service today. The honor we show here this evening for this one flag, we are showing for all of the flags, even those not physically here."

(5) The Commander should:

- call the group to attention;

- order a salute;

- lead the entire group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag;

- order the flag retired by the color guard.

- Slowly and ceremoniously lower and then respectfully fold the flag in the

customary triangle.

- Deliver the flag to the leader and then dismiss the group.

This concludes the Ceremony of Final Tribute.

"Ceremony for the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags"

The Post assembles out-of-doors and marches onto the field.

Fire Preparation:

A fire is burning center field in a fire pit. It is important that the fire be sizable-preferably having burnt down to a bed of red hot coals to avoid bits of the flag being carried off by a roaring fire, yet be of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.

Alternate procedure for Fire Preparation:

A fire pit is located center field. There is an

A-frame rack over the fire pit. Draped over the

A-frame are the flags to be incinerated, save one. The flags are prepared earlier by dipping them in kerosene, or having wood dipped in keresene in the bottom of the pit. There is no fire lit at this time.

Flag Preparation (one flag) :

The Detail assigned to the flag opens up the tri-corner fold flag, refolds the flag in a coffin-shaped rectangle, and hands the flag to the Sergeant-At Arms. (See "Ceremony of Final Tribute".)

Sergeant-at-Arms: " Commander, we wish to present a number of unserviceable Flags of our Country for inspection and disposal."

Commander: " Sergeant-at-Arms advance and present the Flag for disposal and inspection."

(Sergeant-at-Arms comes to attention at the Post of the Sergeant-at-Arms, takes the Flag which is to be inspected, marches down center until opposite the Past-Commander, turns and halts two paces in front of the Past-Commander. The Sergeant-at-Arms steps one pace forward and salutes.)

Sergeant-at-Arms: " Commander, we present this unserviceable Flag for your inspection."

Past-Commander: " Is the present condition of this Flag the result of its usual service as the Emblem of our Country?"

Sergeant-at-Arms: " This Flag has become faded and worn over the graves of our departed comrades, the soldier, sailor, Marine, and airmen dead, both men and women, of all our nation's wars."

Past-Commander: " Present this Flag to the Vice-Commander for his inspection."

(The Sergeant-at-Arms salutes, about faces, and marches until opposite the Vice-Commander, turns and halts two paces in front of the Vice-Commander. The Sergeant-at-Arms steps one pace forward and salutes.)

Sergeant-at-Arms: " Vice-Commander, we present this Flag which has been inspected by the Past-Commander, for your further inspection."

Vice-Commander: " Has this Flag served any other purpose?"

Sergeant-at-Arms: "This Flag has been displayed in various public places."

Vice-Commander: " Present them to the Post Commander for final inspection and fitting disposal."

(The Sergeant-at-Arms salutes, about faces, and marches until opposite the Commander, turns and halts two paces in front of the Commander. The Sergeant-at-Arms steps one pace forward and salutes.)

Sergeant-at-Arms: " 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 Past Commander and Vice-Commander?"

Sergeant-at-Arms: " They have."

Commander: " Past-Commander, what does your inspection show and what do you recommend?"

Past-Commander: " Commander, since these Flags have become unserviceable in a worthy cause, I recommend that they be honorably retired from further service."

Commander: " Vice-Commander, what does your inspection show and what do you recommend?"

Vice-Commander: " Commander, since these Flags have become faded and worn in a tribute of service and love, I also recommend that they be fittingly destroyed."

Post Commander: " 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,

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, destroy these Flags by burning. Would the audience please rise."

(The Sergeant-At-Arms takes position in front of the fire, holding the Flag to be incinerated)

Post 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."

Post Commander: "Hand salute."

(Color Guards present arms. The Flags are dipped per Section 10, Flag Code. All officers and members except the Sergeant-At-Arms and Firing Party, salute. The Sergeant-At-Arms dips the condemned Flag in kerosene and places it on a rack over the fire and lights the Flags. After the Flag is placed on the rack and is being incinerated, The Sergeant-at-Arms salutes.

The Firing Party is commanded to "Come to the Ready" and the Squad Leader orders the firing of three volleys. At the conclusion of the three volleys, the Squad Leader commands the firing party to "Present Arms", about faces and salutes.)

[Bugler sounds "Taps." (In lieu of a Bugler, a recording of Taps may be played.)]

Post Commander: (at conclusion of "To the Colors") "Ready Two."

( When the flags are basically consumed those assembled, with the exception of the Post Commander, Sergeant-at-Arms and the Color Guard, should be dismissed single file and depart in silence.

The Post Commander, Sergeant-at-Arms and the Color Guard remain until the flags are completely consumed.

The fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.) *

* Optional: Pipe Band or lone Piper plays "Amazing Grace" as all exit.

This concludes the Ceremony for the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags.