The American flag has been known as "Old Glory," "the Stars and Stripes," and "the colors."  For American citizens, the flag is a powerful symbol of liberty and equal opportunity for all.   The American flag carries the message of national independence and unity for people originally from many diverse countries.  Flag ceremonies are very often a part of a larger ceremony.  They are also used to open or close a troop/group meeting.   Learning about the proper way to handle the American flag and to conduct a flag ceremony fosters a patriotic spirit in young people.  At a flag ceremony, you say the Pledge of Allegiance in the presence of the American flag.  You may also sing a patriotic song and repeat the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Flag Ceremony Terms

The color bearer (or flag bearer) is the person who carries the flag.  There is one
        color bearer for each flag in the ceremony.
The color guard is a team that guards the flags.  Any even number of guards may be
        used, but usually four or six are sufficient.
The Girl Scout-in-charge is a designated Girl Scout who announces or calls each part
        of the ceremony.
The standards are the stands that support the flag.  The color bearers usually place
        their flags in the standards.

The Flag Ceremony

There should be absolute silence from the time the horseshoe is formed until it is dismissed.  The color guard remains silent from the time they start to walk in until they walk out.  They do not speak or sing with the group, but stay at attention.

1.  The troop/group forms a horseshoe.  The color guard is in position.  All stand at
     attention.
2.  The Girl Scout-in-charge says:  "Color guard, advance."   This signals the color guard
     to advance to the flags, salute the American flag, and pick the flags up.  Then they turn
     together and get into position facing the troop.   Everyone stands at attention.
3.  The color guard walks forward carrying the flags to the formation.   They stop in front
     of the standards.
4.  The Girl Scout-in-charge says:  "Color guard, post the colors."  This signals the color
     bearers to place the flags in their stands.  They remain at attention next to the flags.
5.  The Girl Scout-in-charge says:  "Girl Scouts, honor the flag of your country."  The
     group salutes the American flag.
6. The Girl Scout-in-charge says:  "Girl Scouts, recite the Pledge of Allegiance."  This
     may be followed by songs, poems, or verses.

If the flag ceremony is part of a larger ceremony such as an investiture, the Girl
          Scout in charge dismisses the color guard and then the main ceremony takes place.
Following the ceremony, the Girl Scout-in-charge commands the color guard to
         retire the colors by taking the flags to their place of storage.  The following
         commands can be used:
            "Girl Scouts, attention."
            "Color guard, advance."
            "Color guard, honor your flag."
            "Color guard, retire the colors."
            "Color guard, dismissed."
            "Girl Scouts, dismissed."

Click here for the Flag Etiquette

This and more information on flag ceremonies can be found in "Ceremonies in Girl Scouting" on pages 15-20.  This is © by GSUSA, 1990.