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My Scouting Web Pages
52 Opening Flag Ceremonies |
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Do you open your meetings with the same flag ceremony? If so, this web page is just for you!
In an effort to improve upon the meaning of a flag ceremony, Scouting Magazine, over a period of four issues in 1969 and 1970, presented a series of opening flag ceremonies. Below is the contents of this series.
Salute the Flag - With Respect
(from the May/June 1969 issue) UNLESS THOUGHT IS GIVEN TO IT, the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag can become boring, disrespectful, and slovenly to members of Scouting and the general public alike. In the January 1964 Scouting Magazine, Paul S. Chance of Los Angeles, Calif., told how this worried him. He included some short introductions to the flag salute to make the ceremony different and meaningful each time. Sequois Council, Fresno, Calif., hitch-hiked on his idea and came up with a set of flag salute introductions for every week of the year. The introductions were printed up and distributed to service clubs, fraternal groups, and other organizations having the pledge of allegiance as part of their regular programs. The idea was well accepted and used throughout the council. With three patriotic days coming up where the U.S. flag will be used often – Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day – we should be doubly aware of the tradition behind the flag and our nation. Listed below are flag salute introductions for every week in the months of May, June, and July. Watch for other 3-month sets of these introductions in later issues. WEEK OF MAY 5. We have good government only when we, the people of the United States, play an active part in making it good. Let us salute our flag with that in mind. MAY 12. The greatest public document of the American people is the Constitution of the United States. Our flag represents our Constitution in action. Let us now salute the flag. MAY 19. Where our flag flies there is less oppression and more opportunity for self-expression. Will you now join me in expressing your allegiance to our flag? MAY 26. Red, white, and blue—the colors of our U.S. flag—mean many things to us as Americans. Let us give our own meaning to the colors as we pledge allegiance to our flag. JUNE 2. Thirteen stripes and 50 stars . . . this phrase can only refer to our U.S. flag. Let us remember the history behind the stars and stripes as we salute our flag. JUNE 9. On June 14, 1777, Old Glory, the flag made by Betsy Ross, was approved by Congress as the first official U.S. flag. In commemoration of that date, June 14 is now observed throughout our country as Flag Day. Let us remember this special day as we now pledge allegiance to our flag. JUNE 16. The pledge to our flag is more important than most of us make it. Let us show proper honor to our national symbol as we salute the flag. JUNE 23. "Long may it wave!" Let us remember the history behind this famous phrase as we pledge our allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. JUNE 30. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by vote in the Continental Congress, thereby giving birth to a new nation. As we approach another Independence Day, let us pay tribute to our rich American heritage. Let us now salute the flag. JULY 7. Independence Day marks the birthday for our nation. As we salute our flag, let us vow to be good citizens during the coming year. JULY 14. As we salute the flag, let us remember the words from The American's Creed that ". . . it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies." JULY 21. In the flag salute, there is no comma or pause after the words "One Nation." The concept of one Nation under God is a precious thing. To weaken it with an unwanted comma is an affront to the patriotic heart as well as to the poetic ear. Let's say the pledge correctly. JULY 28. The red in our flag stands for courage and bravery. Today as we salute the flag, let us remember our men in the Armed Forces who are serving us and our country.
"I Pledge Allegiance"
(from the July/August 1969 issue) THE MAY-JUNE ISSUE OF Scouting Magazine listed some different and meaningful introductions to pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Below are more such introductions, week by week, for August, September, and October. AUGUST 4. The U.S. flag is the emblem of our nation. . . . the leader of the free world. Let us now salute the flag. AUGUST 11. An active, patriotic citizenry is essential to preserve and strengthen our American heritage. Respect for our flag is part of this. Let us show it by saluting our flag today. AUGUST 18. Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American faith, the U.S. flag has proved an inspiration to untold millions. Men have looked upon the flag as a symbol of national unity. Let us unify (as organization members) today as we repeat the pledge to the flag. AUGUST 25. So long as the principles of truth, justice, and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, our flag shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America. Let us join in the pledge to our flag. SEPTEMBER 1. For more than 9 score years, our flag has been the emblem of liberty for generation after generation of Americans. Let us look at it with pride as we salute our flag today. SEPTEMBER 8. The flag flies before our eyes as a bright gleam of color and a symbol of ourselves. Let us join in saluting the flag of the United States. SEPTEMBER 15. The stars and stripes are our dreams and our labors. In these unsettled times, let us salute the U.S. flag. SEPTEMBER 22. Our flag is bright with cheer, brilliant with courage, and firm with faith. Let us add to this with a sincere salute today. SEPTEMBER 29. Our flag represents constitutional government designed to serve all the people. Let us remember that as we salute our flag today. OCTOBER 6. The wording of the pledge to the flag was drawn up in the office of The Youth's Companion in Boston in 1892. It was first used in the public schools in celebration of Columbus Day, October 12, 1892. Let us continue the tradition of the pledge to the flag as we repeat it today. OCTOBER 13. To personally understand and maintain the American way of life, and to pass it intact to succeeding generations is the responsibility of every true American. Let us vow to do this, and think about it now, as we salute our flag. OCTOBER 20. Thomas Jefferson said "The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time." As we repeat the pledge of allegiance, let us remember that our flag is a symbol of this precious liberty. OCTOBER 27. Because we are proud and appreciative of America's role in world leadership, let us now salute our flag.
SHOW YOUR COLORS
(from the October 1969 issue) WHEN WE SALUTE THE U.S. FLAG, we should do it with sincerity and with appreciation, not just by rote. Continuing the series in the May-June and July-August issues of Scouting Magazine, here are more new flag salute introductions for November, December, and January. Use them at Scout meetings, church affairs, service club luncheons, etc. NOVEMBER 3. When you look at the flag, you can see the Constitution and the courts, the statutes and statute-makers . . . a soldier, a street-sweeper, a counselor, or a clerk. What do you see as we salute our flag today? NOVEMBER 10. We live a changing life, a life of moods and passions, a life of heartbreak and tired muscles . . . but the flag stands fast. Join me in saluting our nation's flag. NOVEMBER 17. Our flag stands for all that we hope to be and have the courage to try for. Let us join in a salute to the red, white, and blue. NOVEMBER 24. The flag represents song and fear, struggle and panic, hope and joy. Join me in saluting the flag of our country. DECEMBER 1. This week in 1941, the United States was drawn into a world war. In memory of Americans who died during that war and recent conflicts, let us join in a salute to our flag. DECEMBER 8. Webster defines the word "flag" as a light cloth bearing a device or devices to indicate nationality or party. Show your nationality during our flag salute today. DECEMBER 15. Thirteen stripes and 50 stars . . . representing the Original Thirteen Colonies and our 50 States of today. Today, as in 1776, our flag is a rallying point for all Americans. Let us salute our flag proudly. DECEMBER 22. Our flag has changed its form and design over the years, but it still causes patriotic feeling in Americans. Let us partake of this now as we salute the flag of the United States of America. DECEMBER 29. As we move into a new year, let us vow to renew again our faith and belief in our country . . . and let us also continue to salute our flag with feeling. JANUARY 5. Today, let us salute the flag in honor of our Founding Fathers who had visions of today's America. JANUARY 12. Join me in saluting the flag of our country, the emblem of truth and justice. JANUARY 19. When we realize what our flag stands for, it is with genuine enthusiasm we salute the flag of our country. JANUARY 26 Let us now salute our flag that represents over 200 million Americans in 50 States as if it represented us alone, led by _______________ .
STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER
(from the January 1970 issue) ACCORDING TO THE Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America, the goals of the movement are character development, citizenship training, mental and physical fitness. Proper citizenship can't be taught without proper respect for our U.S. flag and our American heritage. In the May-June, July-August, and October 1969 issues of Scouting Magazine, a series of flag salute introductions was run to make the flag salute more meaningful. The salute introductions can be used at any gathering of American citizens, such as service clubs, political functions, or Scouts. Completing the series, here are flag salute introductions for each week in February, March, and April. FEBRUARY 2. When we salute our flag, we should place our right hands over our hearts. Let us do this as we now salute the U.S. flag. FEBRUARY 9. Because we are thankful and appreciative of such leaders as Abraham Lincoln, let us salute the flag and at the same time remember the great Presidents of our great land. FEBRUARY 16. As we observe President's Day, let us remember the Father of our Country, George Washington, and the heritage of America. FEBRUARY 23. Because we are proud and appreciative of America's role in world leadership, let us now salute our flag. MARCH 2. For the opportunities our country offers to the youth of America, let us now salute our flag, the emblem of our nation. MARCH 9. For those who died that this nation might live, let us now salute our flag. MARCH 16. We, the people . . . that's what our flag stands for. Let us salute the flag. MARCH 23. To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity is a challenge to all of us. Let us salute our flag. MARCH 30. In the folds of our flag are enshrined every ideal, hope, and opportunity made possible because someone has lived. Let us salute the flag. APRIL 6. The 31 words of the Pledge of Allegiance are among the best-known words in America. Let us repeat them now with meaning as we salute our flag. APRIL 13. 0ur State is represented one of the 50 stars on our flag. Let now pledge allegiance to our flag individuals and together for our State. APRIL 20. The flag of the United States of America is the emblem of our nation, the leader of the free world. Let us now salute our flag. APRIL 27. In peace and war our flag flies proudly because Americans are not forgetful of others. Join me in saluting our flag.
This frame ©
Scouting Magazine;
used with permission.
Frame last updated: January 11, 2009
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