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Flag Facts

     *   No flag flies above the U.S. Flag.
     *   When the U.S. Flag is raised or lowered as part of a ceremony or when it
          passes in review, all persons (except those in uniform who observe military
          rules) should face the Flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the
          heart.
     *   When the National Anthem is played and the Flag is not displayed, all present
          should stand facing toward the music.  When the Flag is displayed, all present
          should stand at attention, face the Flag and render the prescribed salute.
     *   The "Star Spangled Banner" is the National Anthem of the United States of
          America by an Act of Congress, March 3, 1931.
     *   Always hoist the U.S. Flag briskly.  Lower it ceremoniously.  When flown at
          half-staff the U.S. Flag should first be hoisted to the peak of the staff for a
          moment, then lowered to the half-staff position.  The Flag should be raised
          again to the peak before it is lowered for the day.  On Memorial Day the
          U.S. Flag should be at half-staff until noon.
     *   When the Flag is displayed horizontally or vertically against a wall or balcony
          as in an assembly room, the union or canton should be in the upper left
          corner.
    *   The Flag Code was amended July 7, 1976, by Public Law 94-344, 94th
          Congress.  The amended Code states: "When the flag of the United States
          of America is displayed from a staff in a church, or public auditorium, it is
          always displayed to the right of the clergyman or speaker as he faces the
          audience.  It makes no difference whether the flag is on a raised platform
          or on the audience level.  All other flags will be displayed to the left of the
          speaker."  Flags on the left should be in sequence of seniority such as state,
          Colonial Dames Flag, etc.                                                                             Back to top.
 
Salute to the Flag
    
     *   The following Salute to the Flag occurs at all meetings of The Society and
          is addressed to the American Flag.  The Salute is part of an inscription on
          a tablet on the wall of the Jamestown Church restored by The National
          Society in 1907.
      
To the Glory of God; and in grateful remembrance of those, our ancestors, who through evil report and loss of fortune, through suffering and death, maintained stout hearts, laid the foundations of our country; we, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America, pledge our loyal and affectionate allegiance to the Flag.

Back to top.
Flag Protocol When Flags are Stationary
    
     *   The flags should be in place at either side of the President's table, the
          National Colors on the President's right and The Society's Colors on
          her left.
     *   Immediately after The Lord's Prayer, while the audience is still standing,
          The Society's Salute to the Flag is rendered.  The flag mentioned in The
          Society's Salute to the Flag is the U.S. Flag (Acts in Council, Article XI,
          section 4).  The right hand of those assembled should be placed over the
          heart during the Salute and lowered immediately afterward.                                Back to top.
 
Flag Protocol When Flags are Marched into an Assembly
    
     *   The United States Flag is always on the marching right (the Flag's own right).
          The U.S. Flag should be in front of a line of different flags.  No flag files
          above the U.S. Flag.
     *   The flags should start out at the rear of the assembly room.  The flag stands
          should be on either side of the President's table which may be on a raised
          platform or on the audience level.
     *   Immediately after The Lord's Prayer, while the audience is still standing, the
          President gives the order "Advance the Colors."  Upon hearing this order,
          the right hand of those assembled should be placed over the heart.  The Color
          Bearers, wearing white gloves, march in step down the center aisle carrying
          the National Colors on the marching right and the Society's Colors on the
          marching left to a position directly in front of the President.
     *   The Vice President announces "Madame President, the Colors are present."
          The audience repeats The Society's Salute to the Flag.  The Society's flag
          should be dipped slightly before and during the Salute.
     *   The President then gives the order, "Post the Colors."  The Bearer of the
          Society's Colors steps back one step.  The Color Bearers make a half turn
          to face each other, halt a moment, then pass each other and march to the
          ends of the platform.  Here they make another half turn to face the flag
          holders and mount the flags.  The President and audience lower their hands.
     *   The National Colors are now on the President's right and the Society's Colors
          are on her left.  The Color Bearers march to the rear of the assembly room
          in the same manner as they advanced.  They may wish to sit with their Society
          or in designated seats.                                                                                   Back to top.
 
  Flag Protocol When Flags are Marched out of an Assembly
    
     *   At the conclusion of the meeting, the President gives the order, "Retire the
         Colors."  The audience stands. 
     *   The Color Bearers march in step, from the rear of the assembly room down
          the center aisle to face the President.  They pause for a moment, go to the
          respective sides and bring down the Colors.  The President places her right
          hand over her heart and the audience follows suit.  The Color Bearers face
          each other, pause for a moment, march to the spot in front of the President
          and turn to face her.  The President gives the order, "Dismissed."
     *   The Color Bearers turn to face the rear of the assembly room.  The National
          Colors are on the marching right and The Society's Colors are on the
          marching left.  They pause, and march in step to the rear of the room.  When
          the President lowers her hand, the audience follows suit.                                    Back to top.
 
Which NSCDA Meetings Observe Flag Protocol

 
     *   Biennial Councils - Regional Conferences - Corporate Society Meetings

          The President appoints two Color Bearers for Biennial Council meetings.
          The Delegate from the Colonial State carries the U.S. Flag on the marching
          right. The Delegate from the Associate State carries The National Society
          flag on the marching left.  Color Bearers should wear white gloves and should
          be at their posts at least twenty minutes before the session begins.

          At Biennial Council the Color Bearers are instructed in this protocol by
          the Patriotic Service Committee Flag Consultant.  At Regional Conferences
          the Regional Vice President may instruct the Color Bearers or she may ask
          the Flag Consultant to do so.  It may be adapted for stationary flags.                Back to top.

Last updated:  11/02/2007
©2005 The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America