Flag Retiring Ceremony

Leader:             Tonight, we are pleased to show a great honor for our country in the retiring of a worn American flag.  At the end of the ceremony, when you are dismissed, please show your respect and leave the campfire area silently.

 Leader: Assembly, all rise.

Color Guard, advance (The flag is carried in folded, stars on top)

Color Guard, halt

Color Guard, present the colors (The flag is unfolded)

Scouts in uniform, salute, others place your hand over your heart.  Please all join me in the Pledge of Allegiance (Say the Pledge).

Two

You may be seated

 Speaker:             I am your flag.  Now I am tired, and it is time for me to rest in the sacred flames of your fire.  My colors are faded, and my cloth is tattered, but my spirit remains unbroken.  To set my spirit loose, first cut the blue field away from my stripes, thus creating two pieces of cloth. (The field of stars is now cut away from the stripes.  Start at the side.  When finished, the blue field is placed over the arm of the guard to the right).

I am no longer a flag.

 Tear each of my thirteen stripes and lay it on the fire one at a time.  As you do this, think about the thirteen original colonies and the pioneers who carved a nation out of wilderness.  They risked everything to fight for the independence that we enjoy.

(Cut and tear off the first stripe.  Begin at the bottom it is done by the color guards.  Add each stripe to the fire as the name of the state is read.  Wait until it is fully consumed by the fire.  Read the next state name as the next strip is added to the fire).  My first state was Delaware.  Next, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina and finally Rhode Island.  As you cut and rip me apart, and watch me burn, do not be sad or feel sorry for me.  I have had the great honor of being your flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which I stand, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

 When my stripes are gone, kiss the blue field and lay it across the fire. (Color Guard kisses the blue field, then places the field of stars across the fire).  Now stand silently as you watch each star twinkle and fade into ashes. (Pause until the fire consumes the flag).

 Old flags are used in memorial services for citizens who have given their lives for our country.  Now I am just a memory, but if there was a tear in your eye or a lump in your throat, if you felt a shiver in your spine as you watched me burn, then I will be back the next time you need me.   My colors will be fresh and bright and my edges will not be ragged anymore.  When I climb to the top of the flagpole, I will wave at you and remember the love and respect you showed me here tonight.

Leader:        Color Guard retreat.  Group dismissed.