Flag Etiquette
Remember the three simple words of flag etiquette: RIGHT, UP, FRONT
RIGHT: The flag always goes on the flag's own right. That means the marching right when the
flag is moving, the stage right when presented in the front of the room, etc. When displaying the
flag horizontally or vertically the union (the honorific part of the flag) goes on the flag's own
right (left as viewed by the observer). In general, assume you are the flag, facing the audience,
and it would be on your right.
UP: The flag should always be the same height or higher than any other flag. That means that
you post the US flag LAST (so it remains higher) and you retrieve it FIRST (so it is above the
other flags). When hoisted on a pole, the US Flag goes up first (and fast) and comes down last
(and slowly).
FRONT: The flag should be displayed at the front of the room; in front of a line of flags; and on
the front of a car, plane, float, or other vehicle.
Basic Opening Flag Ceremony
Preparation: Flag bearers and color guards at back of room (US flag on marching right, other
flags on marching left), caller in front of audience, flag stands in front of room (US flag stand on
caller’s right, others on caller’s left)
Caller: The audience will please rise and make the appropriate salute for the presentation
of the colors. [caller salutes, wait for audience to stand]
Color guard, forward march! [wait for colors to approach the front of the room, colors cross
with US flag closer to audience, color bearers stop behind appropriate flag stand]
Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. [caller turns slightly to face US flag and begins
pledge, colors other than the US flag are dipped slightly, color bearers and color guards do
NOT salute or repeat pledge]
Color guard, post the colors! [wait for color bearers to post colors, US flag is posted last; after
posting, all color bearers and guards step back and salute US flag]
Two! [caller and audience drop salute]
Color guard, reassemble. [wait for color bearers and guards to position themselves]
Color guard, dismissed. Thank you. The audience may be seated.
Basic Closing Flag Ceremony
Preparation: Flag bearers and color guards at back of room, caller in front of audience, flags in
stands at front of room (US flag on caller’s right, others on caller’s left)
Caller: The audience will please rise. [wait for audience to stand]
Color guard, forward march! [wait for color guards to approach the front of the room, color
guards stop behind appropriate flag stand]
Please make the appropriate salute. [caller salutes US flag, wait briefly for audience to salute]
Color guard, retrieve the colors! [wait for color bearers to retrieve colors, US flag is retrieved
first]
Color guard, dismissed. [wait for color guard to reach back of room]
Two! [caller and audience drop salute]
Thank you. The audience may be seated.
If you have any questions, contact me at [email protected] or visit www.hmpg.net/flag
The Pledge of Allegiance
From the Red Skelton Hour, January 14, 1969
I had this one teacher. To me, he was the greatest teacher; a real sage of my time anyhow. He had such
wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance one day and he walked over. Mr. Lasswell was his
name. He said:
“I’ve been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though
it’s becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each
word?
I - me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge - dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self–pity.
Allegiance - my love and my devotion.
To the Flag - our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect,
because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody’s job.
[Of the] United - that means that we have all come together.
States [of America] - individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight
individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet
united to a common purpose and that’s love for country.
And to the Republic - a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the
people to govern. And government is the people and it’s from the people to the leaders, not from the
leaders to the people.
For which it stands.
One nation - meaning so blessed by God.
Indivisible - incapable of being divided.
With liberty - which is freedom. The right of power to live ones’ own life without threats, fear, or
some sort of retaliation.
And justice - the principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others.
For all - which means, boys and girls, it’s as much your country as it is mine.”
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the
Pledge of Allegiance - “under God.” Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone said, “That is a prayer” and that
would be eliminated from schools too?”