Comments on: Presenting the Colors—how to conduct a flag ceremony indoors

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:10:19 +0000

I apologize for the delay, Danny---I have been out of town. The flags should be carried together---side by side---and marched in the most direct line possible to the front of the venue. The flag stands will be pre-positioned. When the flag bearers reach the front of the room, the person carrying the state flag will slow down a bit (march in place for a step or two) and the person carrying the U.S. flag will cross in front of him (her) moving to the left, and proceed to the front and the flag pole stand. You can place the flags at the outermost edges of the "stage." The U.S. flag, as it faces the audience, should be on the right, with the state flag facing the audience from the left side of the stage. This article has more information that you might find useful.

By: Danny

Danny — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:09:34 +0000

When carrying the US flag on an indoor ceremony does the US flag enter on the right of the room and the state flag on the left. And when the colors are posted would the be on the right of the speaker or the left on stage. And does the flag cross in front of the audience how should they cross. Should it be the US flag by the speaker and the state flag by the audience.

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:54:00 +0000

Hi Judy—thank you for writing. The color guard always leads the parade. By order of precedence, an active duty military color guard takes top billing, but would not show up at a “civilian” parade without an invitation. It would be an extreme breach of protocol for a military color guard to be invited and not lead the parade. Second in order of precedence is an ROTC unit, and after that would be a junior ROTC unit, because these groups are considered “active.”

For the purposes of your Freedom Walk parade, the Jr. ROTC unit should officially be the color guard and lead the parade, with the drum band following directly behind. If there were no “active” units to carry the colors, then one of the veterans groups could carry the colors.

The veterans organizations hold Congressional charters and are 501(c)(3) non-profit groups, and as such are militarily de-activated. The U.S. State Department orders their precedence by the dates of their parent organizations’ Congressional charters. For example, the American Legion organized before the Veterans of Foreign Wars. At the local level, if there were two VFW posts marching (for example), the oldest local charter would march first. When in doubt, the date of Congressional charter rules.

However, at the local level, and with a parade that may occur year after year, it is common to rotate the various veterans organizations each year so they have an opportunity to march first. Careful recording-keeping is a always a good idea.

Here is a link to another article with comments, which you may find useful. Best Wishes, Deborah

By: Judy

Judy — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:31:20 +0000

When a drum band is being used to set the beat for a “parade” Freedom Walk. Where does the drum band position – to lead the parade or to go behind the color guard?

We have two veteran color guards and a Jr ROTC. Which group should position first?

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:45:09 +0000

You are most welcome, Tammi. I know it will be a splendid ceremony. Best Wishes, Deborah

By: Tammi

Tammi — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:30:15 +0000

Thank you for the information. I’m the oldest vetern in my congregation and have been asked to present the colors on July 4th’s service. It has been 42 years since I’ve served in the US Army and I still have such a love for my flag and country that I wanted to do this service with all the proper decorum possible. Your information was extremely valuable to me and very apprecited. Tammi

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:08:49 +0000

Julie, I’m glad we could help.

By: Julia

Julia — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:25:27 +0000

I was looking for a flag ceremony for my Brownie Troop – Thanks for the help!

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:27:56 +0000

Thank you for writing, Nathan.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:31:39 +0000

Thank you for showing respect to our Nations Flag.

USAF!