One Flag - worn, tattered and soiled, one medium fire. Take the flag and
cut out the blue field with the stars, then cut the flag up into smaller pi=
eces
so that each participant can have a piece to lay on the fire.
NARRATOR - Our flag is the symbol of our country. Have you ever stopped=
to
think what the flag really means?
The Blue in our flag stands for valor which our ancestors fought and died f=
or
in the many battles that have been fought for our country and all for which=
it
stands.
The White stands for the purity in all of our hearts. It also represent=
the
honor that each of us should show in all that we do in our everyday lives. =
The Red stands for all of the men and women who have died in the servic=
e of
our country, both as members of the armed forces and as everyday citizens. =
Our flag has gone into every battle into which there have been United
States citizens, from the American Revolution, to the Civil War, to WW I, t=
o WW
II, to the Korean Conflict, to the Viet Nam War, to the Desert Storm, and
currently in Iraq.
It has flown over some battles that were never declared, such as Beirut
where the Marine Barracks was blown up by terrorists' at the Alfred Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, and most recently b=
y the
rescuers at the World Trade Center.
In all of these, we the American people have stayed true to the values =
that
the Flag represents. We should always value the sacrifices that have been m=
ade
for our flag and the country that it represents.
We have an old friend here who has fulfilled his duty to our country. He
has become worn and tattered and we are here tonight to retire him with hon=
or.
We shouldn't be sad about the retirement of our friend. We are not burn=
ing
him in anger; we are only releasing his spirit so that he can continue to s=
erve
us in our thoughts.
Now I would invite each of you to take a piece of cloth from the box be=
ing
passed around and each of you in turn place it o=
n the
fire. You can pause for a moment to reflect upon what the flag means to eac=
h of
us.
Troop Attention:
"No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United State of
America; The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitt=
ing
emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by
burning."
Color Guard enters in silence, displaying unfurled flag to the troop. (=
The
flags colors are being separated during the reading.)
I AM YOUR FLAG
I was born on June
14, 1777
I am more than cloth shaped into a design.
I am the refuge of the world's oppressed people.
I am the silent sentinel of Freedom.
I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth.
I am the inspiration for which American Patriots gave their lives and fortu=
nes.
I have led your sons in to battle from Valley Forge to the blistering deser=
t of
the Arabian Peninsula.
I walked in silence with each of your honored dead to their final resting p=
lace
beneath the silent white crosses, row upon row.
I have flown through peace and war, strife and prosperity, and amidst it al=
l I
have been respected.
"Old Glory"
is my nickname; proudly I wave on high. Hono=
r me. Respect
me, defend me with your lives and fortunes. Neve=
r let
my enemies tear me down from my lofty position lest I never return. Keep al=
ight
the fires of patriotism; strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy. Wors=
hip
Eternal God and keep his commandments and I shall remain the bulwark of pea=
ce
of freedom for all people.
FOR I AM YOUR FLAG!
(Stop here until the colors are completely separated. Then continue:)
My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of the glorious
nation.
Let us retire the Red Stripes--Salute!
(Burn the RED stripes)
Two.
My white stripes signify the burning tears shed by Americans who lost t=
heir
sons.
Let us retire the White Stripes --Salute.
(Burn the White stripes)
Two.
My blue field is indicative of God's heaven under which we fly. My star=
s,
clustered together, unify 50 States as one for God and Country.
Let us retire the Blue Field with Stars.--Salute.