Items needed:
American Flag preferably 5’ x 8’
Bugler or recording of Taps
This tribute our veterans is intended to be presented in the Lodge Room
either before or after the Lodge meeting.
The ceremony (especially the care and folding of the flag) should be
rehearsed several times prior to its public performance, and if possible,
should be done from memory. Care should be taken at all times to remain
reverent, solemn, and dignified.
The folding of the flag should take place between the altar and the Senior
Warden with the stars toward the Southwest corner. The first two folds
should be made longways by bringing the hands together, sliding one down
and returning the flag to a horizontal position. It should be folded in such a
way as to have the field of blue visible on both sides after the second fold.
Then, as the Senior Warden speaks the dialogue pertaining to each fold, the
triangular folds should be made by the two officers.
Once the last tuck is made, the flag should be laid upon the altar next to
(not on) the Holy Bible.
A demonstration of the entire program can be viewed on the Grand Lodge
YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeEUkdwG9Jo
Any variations from this program must be approved by the District Deputy
Grand Master.
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Senior Warden:
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world,
Excerpt from Concord Hymn,
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Worshipful Master:
So began the Revolutionary War. A war of ideals. A war, once won that
established the United States as the standard of freedom and equality for
the world.
What is it about the American Ideal that caused farmers and merchants to
take up arms against Great Britain, the greatest army of the age? Why have
so many through our history been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, so
that generations to come may live free?
The answer lies in the teachings of Freemasonry – the Brotherhood of Man,
under the Fatherhood of God. As Freemasons, we know that we are indeed
our brothers’ keepers, and that we cannot turn a blind eye to the oppression
of others. No better example can be given than the American Civil War,
where brother took up arms against brother. It is certain that the American
soldier never swerved from his duty. Duty to his country, and, at the end of
the day, duty to his brother:
Junior Warden:
VIGIL strange I kept on the field one night:
When you, my son and my comrade, dropt at my side that
day,
Vigil for comrade swiftly slain—vigil I never forget, how as
day brighten’d,
I rose from the chill ground, and folded my soldier well in his
blanket,
And buried him where he fell.
Excerpt from Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field,
Walt Whitman
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Worshipful Master:
Did our soldiers fight to be heroes? No. They are heroes because they
fought. They put the safety of others ahead of all personal gain. They did
not fight for crosses or stars. They fought for mother and fathers, daughters
and sons. They did not ask for glory, only that the cause, the Great
Experiment, go on.
Senior Warden:
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Excerpt from In Flanders Fields
Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D.
Canadian Army
Worshipful Master:
The men who fought those wars are long dead, but what they have done,
and what we are free to do because of them is not forgotten.
In World War II, America was again called on to defend freedom around the
world and valiantly answered.
Junior Warden:
Oh, gather 'round me, comrades
And listen while I weep;
Of a war, a war, a war...
where hell is six feet deep.
Along the shore, the cannons roar.
Oh how can a soldier sleep?
The going's slow on Anzio
And hell is six feet deep.
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Praise be to God for this captured sod
That’s rich where blood does seep;
With yours and mine, like butchered swine;
And hell is six feet deep.
That death does wait
There's no debate;
No triumph will we reap
The crosses grow on Anzio,
Where hell is six feet deep.
The Crosses Grow on Anzio
Brother Audie Murphy
Worshipful Master:
Americans answered the call in Korea as well, battling the onslaught of
communism, and fighting for what General and Brother Douglas MacArthur
would later call duty, honor and country.
Senior Warden:
I walked among my comrades brave,
upon that bloody hill
And saw no movement, none at all,
for it was deathly still.
There were no cries from trembling lips,
no soldier's blasphemy;
I called their names out, every one,
but no one answered me.
I know each rock, each clump of trees
that marks this hallowed ground
For in my mind I see them fall
and I hear that battle sound.
Now the silence takes my breath
for all that I can see
Are rows on rows of crosses
where old comrades used to be.
Old Comrades
by Thomas Lynn, Lawrenceville, GA
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Worshipful Master:
Again in Vietnam, our young were sent into harm’s way. More than 47,000
were killed, and another 313,000 wounded. The following poem touches
again the theme that we are all brothers and that love of country is one of
our greatest obligations:
Junior Warden:
All gave some and some gave all.
We need only to gaze at the names on the dark wall.
Etched deep are the ranks in the Garden of Stone
And all over the country are the Nam Land's own.
Many are still with us and some have since gone;
Some met an early fate in the Nam Land's dawn.
But none went gently into the night.
They stood steadfast with honor, duty, and what was right.
Many walked home; some were carried;
Many are still scattered, in the Nam Land buried.
Yes, all the brothers' souls walk the Nam Land at night Especially the dead, while the living still fight.
The nightmares of the never-ending Nam Land War,
The sacrifice of their brothers and the memories' scars.
America's civilians, awake from your slumber.
Stand tall and salute them with reverence and honor.
Greater love hath no man than to give his life for another,
Especially in battle, when that man is his brother.
My Brother, Your Brother, Our Brothers,
Doug Connor - brother of a Combat Medic, I Corps
Worshipful Master:
The Persian Gulf, Operation Enduring Freedom, the War on Terror.
America’s soldiers, sailors and airmen will always be ready to stand, fight
and if need be, die for what is good and great: Freedom.
I will now ask those present who have served in the Armed Forces of the
United States of America to stand that we may acknowledge you. May this
pin represent a small token of the thanks we owe you for the sacrifice you
have made in putting Country above Self.
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As an acknowledgement of the service you have given to our country, it is
my honor to present each of you with this gift on behalf of the Right
Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania. It contains the most
familiar symbol of Freemasonry, the Square and Compasses, proudly
displayed on the front of a steel pot. We hope that you will wear it with
pride and that it will remind you that we, as citizens of the Country you
serve or have served, appreciate all you do.
You may be seated as we conclude our ceremony with two special tributes.
Flag Folding Ceremony
[The Masters of Ceremonies (or two other members chosen at the Master’s
discretion) should begin the flag folding ceremony here. Instructions are
provided on the last page.]
Senior Warden:
Have you ever wondered why the Flag of the United
States of America is folded 13 times when it is
lowered or when it is folded and handed to the
next of kin at the burial of a veteran?
Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means:
The first fold of our Flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the
veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of
their lives for the defense of our
country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as
American citizens trusting, it is to Him we turn in
times of peace as well as in time of war for His
divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the
words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing
with other countries may she always be right; but it
is still our country, right or wrong."
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The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is
with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America, and to the
Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for
it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our
country and our flag against all her enemies, whether
they be found within or without the boundaries of our
Republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered
into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might
see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it
flies on Mother's Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has
been through their faith, their love, loyalty and
devotion that the character of the men and women who
have made this country great has been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he,
too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense
of our country since they were first born.
The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen
represents the lower portion of the seal of King David
and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen,
represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in
their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are
uppermost reminding us of our Nation's motto, "In God
We Trust." After the Flag is completely folded and
tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat,
ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under
General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines
who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were
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followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed
Forces of the United States, preserving for us the
rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
Taps
Junior Warden:
Let us close this tribute by the playing of a tune easily recognizable by
veterans and civilians alike. Written by Brother and Union General Daniel
Butterfield after a particularly bloody battle in July of 1862, Taps was quickly
adopted by the Union Army until it became official in 1874.
Give your attention to this haunting and beautiful call.
[Play Taps. It may be played by a live bugler or mp3 file/recording]
We thank our veterans and families for attending this evening. We would like
to invite you to the fellowship hall for refreshments. If you would like to
know more about the Masons, please see one of the Officers during the time
of fellowship.
[Program Time: approximately 13 minutes]
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