FLAG BEARER: The person who carries the flag.

COLOR GUARD: Persons to guard the honor of the flag and watch to see that the flag does not touch the ground. They stand behind the flag bearer, or to each side if in a line of more than one flag. Two per flag is traditional, but any number may be used. They stand silent and at attention throughout the ceremony and do not repeat the Pledge of Allegiance nor sing the National Anthem.

COLOR GUARD COMMANDER: The designated Scout who "calls out" the parts of the ceremony. Stands in front and to one side of audience. 

COMMANDS FOR STANDARD FLAG CEREMONY

Said by the Color Guard Commander

1. "Please stand for the Presentation (or "Retiring") of the Colors." (Said before flag enters the room.)

2. "Cub Scouts, Attention." (All Scouts stand at attention.)

3. "Color Guard, Attention."

4. "Color Guard, Advance." (Color Guard advances to stage or flag pole, U.S. Flag is first in line.)

5. "Color Guard, Halt."

6. "Color Guard, Post (or "Retire") the Colors." (Color Guard raises the flag, or posts the Colors. The U.S. Flag is the first to be posted, and the first to be retrieved.)

7. "Cub Scouts Salute." (The Color Guard stays at attention. Color Guard Commander and Scouts Salute.) This command and the Pledge of Allegiance is omitted when retiring the Colors, however Scouts salute the flag as it passes by them when the Colors are being retired.

8. Color Guard Commander leads Pledge of Allegiance. After completion of the Pledge, Color Guard Commander gives the Command "Two." Upon this command, Scouts lower their arm smartly to their side from the salute.

9. "Color Guard, Retreat."

10. "Color Guard, Halt."

11. "Color Guard, Dismissed." (and "Cub Scouts Dismissed" if this is the closing; otherwise, the Color Guard Commander may direct the Scouts to be at ease or be seated.)

Flag Ceremony Comments

Keep in mind the following guidelines:

When in uniform, stand at attention and salute with your right hand.

When not in uniform, stand at attention and place your right hand over your heart. You should remove your non-uniform hat.

When in uniform, with your head covered or uncovered, either indoors or outdoors, stand at attention and salute with your right hand when the national anthem is played, the colors are raised or lowered, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, or the flag passes by in a parade.

The reason the color guards do not participate in saluting, singing, or saying the Pledge of Allegiance with the group is because their job is to guard the flag at all times. They should salute after the flag is posted.

The U.S. flag is posted on the left, as you look toward the front.

Any person can write to his or her U.S. senator or U.S. representative and, for a reasonable fee, receive a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

For more information regarding the flag, refer to the booklet Your Flag.

You can find additional information on the U.S. flag from current encyclopedias and from veterans' groups.

Make sure that you include all boys in your flag ceremonies at different times of the year. Boys with physical disabilities can proudly act as narrator or even flag bearers when adults see these events as possibilities instead of barriers.