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FLAG BURNING CEREMONY - OUR FLAG REST
IN PEACE
1. Display the old flag, give its
history, if known, Pledge of Allegiance
2. Respect paid to the old flag --
read aloud "I AM OLD GLORY"
I am old glory; for more the 9 score
years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after
generation of Americans. Born amid the first flames of America's
fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a
little group of 13 colonies to a united nation of 50 sovereign states.
Planted firmly on the high pinnacle
of American Faith, my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration
to untold millions. Men have followed me into battle with
unwavering courage. They have looked upon me as a symbol of
national unity. They have prayed that they and their fellow
citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of
happiness, which have been granted to every American as the heritage of
free men. So long as men love liberty more than life itself, so
long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of
our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity
for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the
enduring banner of the United States of America.
3. Explain to the ensemble what
will happen next, and a little word or two about it. Taps are
hummed slowly while the flag is cut up. The ABSOLUTE SILENCE.
4. Color Guards cuts the field of
blue stars out of the flag, with solemnity a quiet. This field of
flue is put onto the fire first. The stripes are laid into the
fire when the stars are almost fully consumed.
5. There is absolute silence until
the entire flag is completely consumed by the flames.
6. Then the color guard, with
meaning, says, 'OUR FLAG REST IN PEACE."
Group says together: Pledge of
Allegiance the sing America (my Country Tis of Thee)
Color of the flag: Remember as you
look at your Flag, which is the symbol of our nation, that it is red
because of human sacrifice. It is blue because of the true blue
loyalty of its defenders. It is white to symbolize liberty - our
land of the free. The stars are symbols of the united efforts and
hope in the hearts of many people striving for a greater nobler America.
Hold the Flag Up: Optional - at
this point, each person in the audience or participating in the
ceremony, may state what the Flag means to them. Sing: Another
appropriate song may be sung (optional) Procedure for Flag Burning: (a
pair of scissors should be on hand) Take the flag and unfold. Place
stars (as audience sees it) in the upper left hand corner. (One
minute of silent meditation may be inserted if desired).
COMPLETE SILENCE
Then either cut or tear the position
of the blue containing the stars from the flag. Have one person
hold the blue in his arms until the end of the ceremony because the blue
and stars is the last part of the flag to be burned. Now tear one
stripe off at a time. burn it in the fire by laying it across the
flames; not in a lump. Burn each stripe thoroughly before tearing
off the next stripe to be burned. After all the stripes have been
burned, one at a time, then the blue and stars is ready to be
burned. BEFORE the blue and stars is spread across the fire, the
blue portion should be KISSED for
(Continued on Next Page)
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Miscellaneous Ceremony |
