Miscellaneous Ceremony

RETIRING "OLD GLORY"

Our "colors" are showing their years of service and should be fittingly retired.

"Let us pray.

Almighty God, bless and consecrate this present hour. We do thank you for our glorious country and our flag of stars and stripes which should emblazon on our hearts, minds and consciousness the freedoms for which it stands.

We also thank you for the Boy Scouts of America movement, knowing the young men whom receive preparation therein will join in service to our country in both times of strife and peace.

Many thousands have given their all over the years to protect our nation's flag, as it symbolizes the truth and virtues on which she was established and which we still hold dear.

May the colors now be presented for inspection."

(Open and inspect flag.) State the service record on this particular flag.

"The stresses of this honorable service have resulted in faded colors, wear and tear; it should therefore be retired with dignity and fittingly destroyed.

A flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze or a beautiful banner of the finest silk; its monetary value may be great or small, but its real value is beyond price. It is a precious symbol that we have worked for, lived for, died for - a free nation of free men and women, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of justice, freedom and democracy.

Please stand and join me as we honor this flag with a final Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.

I pledge allegiance ...

"Almighty God, bless and consecrate this present hour. We thank Thee for our country and its flag and for the liberty of which it stands. To clean in purging flame, we commit this flag, worn out in worthy service. As it yields its substance to the fire, may its Holy Light spread over us and bring to our hearts renewed devotion to God and country. Amen."

(Right hand salute. Grommets being cut. Burn flag to complete ashes.)