Half-Staff Flag Ceremony
| Category: | Flag Ceremonies |
|---|---|
| Props: | U.S. flag |
| Props: | State flag (optional) |
| Props: | flagpole with halyard |
| Props: | color guard of 2 or 3 Scouts |
| Notes: | Reusable ceremony for any half-staff day - Memorial Day, Peace Officers Memorial Day, or any Presidential or Governor's proclamation. Covers the legally required raise-to-peak-then-lower procedure required by the U.S. Flag Code and Texas law. |
| Notes: | See also: Peace Officers Memorial Day Flag Ceremony, Memorial Day Noon Raise. |
Assemble the color guard at the flagpole with the flag attached to the halyard but not yet raised. This ceremony is appropriate for any morning when the flag must be flown at half-staff. Fill in the specific observance name where indicated.
Leader: 'Color Guard, Attention!'
Leader: 'Troop, please rise and render honors.'
All Scouts in uniform render the Scout salute. Those out of uniform place their right hand over their heart.Leader: 'Today is [Peace Officers Memorial Day / Memorial Day / a day of mourning by Presidential proclamation]. Our flag will fly at half-staff to honor [fallen law enforcement officers / our nation's war dead / those we remember].'
Leader: 'Half-staff does not mean we lower our respect. It means we raise our awareness. And there is a specific, deliberate way we get there.'
Leader: 'First, the flag goes briskly to the peak - all the way up - to show it is honored and unbowed. Then it comes down slowly to half-staff - to show that something solemn has been placed in our hearts.'
Leader: 'Color Guard - raise the colors!'
The color guard raises the flag quickly and smartly to the top of the pole.Pause at the peak.
Leader: 'Color Guard - lower to half-staff.'
The color guard slowly and respectfully lowers the flag to the midpoint of the pole and secures the halyard.Leader: 'Our flag now speaks. Let it remind us throughout this day of the price of freedom, and the debt we owe those who paid it.'
Optional: Lead the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence, or a patriotic reading.
Leader: 'TWO! Scouts, you may be seated.'
End-of-Day Note: Before the final lowering at dusk, the flag must first be raised back to the peak. Raise it briskly, pause briefly, then lower it slowly and respectfully. Never lower a flag directly from half-staff - always raise to full-staff first.