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Patriotic Service
Citizenship Programs
Flag Programs
Flag Facts & Protocol
Parade of Flags
Young Patriots
Service to Military
Afghanistan & Iraq
Vietnam
World War II
World War I
Spanish-American War
& Arlington Monument WIMSA
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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.
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| Salute to the Flag |
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| 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. |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Which NSCDA Meetings Observe Flag Protocol |
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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
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