Miscellaneous Ceremony

THREE FLAG BURNING CEREMONIES

When the flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should not be cast aside or used in any way that might be viewed as disrespectful to the national colors, but -should be buried or destroyed by fire.

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VERSION A:

Cut field and read a poem such as:

"I Swing Before Your Eyes"

I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color a symbol of yourself, the pictured suggestion of that big thing that makes us a nation. My stars and my stripes are your dream and your labors They are bright with cheer, brilliant with courage, firm with faith, because you have made them so out of your heart.

(Color guard holds flag horizontal to ground and taut, while flag bearer cuts out field. After cutting the field from the thirteen colonies with due respect, fold two parts separately, lay one on the fire.)

"Nothing But Flags"

Nothing but flags, but simply flags tattered and torn and hanging in rags; some walk by them with careless tread, not thinking of the host of patriotic dead that have marched beneath them in days gone by with a burning cheek and a kindling eye and have bathed their folds with their life's young tide and dying, blessed them, and blessing died.

(When the flag has burned sufficiently to make it safe, place second part on the fire.)

While burning the red and white stripes:

"The American Creed"

I believe in the United States of America. As a government of the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign. states. A perfect nation, one and inseparable, established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity, for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support it's Constitution, to obey it's laws, to respect it's flag, and to defend it against all enemies.

(When the flag is all burnt . . .)

Breathes there a man with soul so dead who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land .

(VERSION B: Continued On Next Page)