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Virginia Fire Chiefs Association Honor Guard Manual
Honor
Guard Manual The
purpose of this manual is to establish guidelines and to set forth policy,
responsibilities and procedures with respect to the participation of the Honor
Guard at fire department funerals and other ceremonial occasions. It is the mission of the Honor Guard to represent the department of the fallen member and the members local government as a highly disciplined team serving with honor at ceremonial functions, and with respect and dignity at funeral services for active and retired personnel and personnel that have died in the line of duty, and provide comfort and compassion for the survivors; this is accomplished through drilling in military etiquette and attention to detail. This
manual consists of the following sections: I
POLICY II
FUNERAL PROCEDURES III PROTOCOL IV MILITARY
STANDARDS V
FLAG MANUAL It shall be the policy of the Honor Guard to: (a) Plan/coordinate and conduct
all departmental funerals (b) Act as a
clearinghouse for the department regarding ceremonial protocol matters (c) Represent the department at
the funeral of members of outside fire departments (d) Coordinate the ceremonial
functions at designated departmental Functions (e) Perform other functions as deemed appropriate by the Fire Chief LINE-OF-DUTY
FUNERAL In
the event of a Line-of-Duty death, the following protocols will be observed: (a) An official period of
mourning of thirty (30) days will
be declared.
All departmental flags will fly at half -staff and all members will wear
a black mourning band on their badges. (b) The station sign of the
deceased member(s) will be draped with black bunting. (c) On the day of the funeral,
the member's unit will be draped in black bunting. (d) Motorcycle escorts for the
family will be provided to and from funeral home, the church and the burial
site. (e) The member's funeral will
be with full departmental honors, to include: 1. Flag draped casket 2. Casket carried on FD apparatus 3. FD - pallbearers (8) and Color
Guard 4. Apparatus procession 5. Honor Guard 6. Bagpipers 7. Motorcycle escort 8. Last alarm ceremony 9. Ladder arch 10.
Bugler playing taps 11.
Eulogy and speeches by Chief, Union, Government Officials Below
are listed the procedures to be followed for a funeral of an active member
killed in the Line of Duty and the various personnel and departmental elements
that will be conducting the funeral. 1) Ceremonial
Coordinator The
Ceremonial Coordinator shall be the Coordinator of the Ceremonial Unit, or
his/her designee. The Ceremonial
Coordinator shall be in complete charge of all ceremonial arrangements where
official departmental participation has been requested and authorized by the
Fire Chief. He/she shall: (a) See that the proper ceremonial detail is
selected. (b) Arrange for sufficient personnel for traffic
control with the Logistics Officer (c) Arrange for necessary escorts with the
Logistics Officer (d)
Arrange for the
necessary Teletype messages with the PIO (e) Confer and coordinate with the Official in Charge of the Honor Guard. 2) Official in Charge of
the Honor Guard The
Official in Charge of the Honor Guard shall be the Honor Guard Team Leader or
Assistant Team Leader. He/she is responsible for the proper functional execution
of commands to the various elements of the Honor Guard, the Fire Department
Formation, and the Funeral Escort. He
shall have general responsibility for the following: (a)
Shall issue all commands for the Honor Guard (b) Shall confer with the
Ceremonial Coordinator regarding the time of arrival and other pertinent
information regarding assigned details. (c) Arrange for sufficient
personnel to assist with the proper forming of the funeral escort. (d) If directed by the
Ceremonial Coordinator, will confer with the minister, funeral director and the
superintendent of the cemetery regarding necessary arrangements. (e) Visit the various sites
involved and make careful arrangements for the positioning of the various
elements of the funeral detail. (f) Designate an assembly
point near the site of the detail. At
this time, he/she will inspect the uniform of members and brief them on proper
procedures. 3) Honor Guard The
Honor Guard shall consist of the following: (a) Coordinator (b)
Team Leader (c)
Assistant Team Leader (d)
Color Guard (e)
Casket Team (f)
Bugler This
team consists of eighteen members, one of whom will be in command of all teams
participating in the funeral. Four
members will be flag bearers carrying the National Colors, the Commonwealth of
Virginia Flag, the Flag of the member's Jurisdiction and the jurisdiction,s
Departmental Colors. Six members
will be part of the Casket Team and the seven remaining members shall serve as
pallbearers. Casket
Team This
team consists of six members who will be in complete control of the casket from
the first time the body is moved to the end of the burial services. They shall be responsible for folding the flag that draped
the casket and present it to the Fire Chief who, in turn shall present it to the
designated survivor, normally a spouse or a child. The member,s jurisdictional flag will be presented to the
family by the highest ranking elected government official representing the
municipality. In the event that an additional flag(s) is to be presented, the
member's Commanding Officer shall present this flag to any additional designated
survivor(s), normally a surviving parent. This flag will, at some time during the wake, have been
draped over the casket. Bugler There
will be either one or two buglers who will play "Taps" or "Echo
Taps" Vigil
Standers These
are members of the Honor Guard who will be positioned at the head
and the foot of the casket from one half hour before the viewing opens to one
half hour
after the viewing closes. The Honor
Guard Team Leader and Assistant
Team Leader will supervise vigil standers. Honorary
Pallbearers If
the family so desires, a contingent of six family members and/or friends shall be
designated Honorary Pallbearers; and will walk behind the Casket Team. Fire
Department Formation The
Fire Department Formation shall consist of the following elements: (a)
The Department's Official Family - all members of the deceased
department.
1.
Department Chief Officers (Active and Retired)
2.
Department Officers (Active and Retired)
3.
Department Personnel (Active and Retired)
(b) Deceased Members
Governmental Representatives
(c) Deceased Members Law
Enforcement Personnel
1.
Sheriff/Police Chief
2.
Officers
3.
Departmental Civilian Personnel
(d) Visiting
Honor Guard Teams
(e) Visiting Fire and Law
Enforcement Agencies The
Official in Charge of the Honor Guard will have sole responsibility for
determining where these different elements will be formed both at the funeral
site and the burial site. While
each site for a funeral service will be different, a traditional fire department
formation will be assembled as followed: Immediately
outside the Church or Funeral Home, flanking the door, will be the Honor Guard.
In the street, from near curb to far curb, will be the hearse and the
family's vehicles, the Color Guard, Chief Officers (Active and Retired),
Government Officials, Officers (Acting and Retired), Department Representatives
(Acting and Retired), visiting agency Honor Guards, visiting agency personnel. Funeral
Escort
(a) Motorcycle outriders.
To be utilized if full intersection control is not possible. (b) Remaining motorcycles formed in a column of twos (c) Casket Team (d) Fire Chief and Member's
Commanding Officer (e) Engine or Medic being
Utilized as a Hearse (f) Family Car(s) (g) Members Department Staff
Vehicles (h) Members Department Fire
Apparatus (i)
Visiting Fire Department staff vehicles (j)
Visiting Fire Department Apparatus (k)
Members Jurisdiction Law Enforcement Vehicles (l)
Visiting Law Enforcement Vehicles (m)
All Civilian Vehicles Any
buses used to transport visiting personnel, regardless of jurisdiction, will
proceed directly to the burial site along with the color guard.
This motorcade will be separate from the funeral motorcade.
Buses will NOT be permitted in the funeral escort. Upon being notified of the death of an active member killed in the Line-of-Duty, members of the Honor Guard will immediately set out to perform the following tasks: (a) Drape the deceased member's station sign with
black bunting (b) Establish a point of contact for outside
agencies. (c) Arrange for the draping of the member's
primary assigned apparatus (d) Respond to the site of the funeral service
and the burial bervice and draw up site plans for positioning the various
formations. Determine what site
posts are needed. (e) Meet with the Traffic Enforcement Branch
Commander and coordinate a route for the traditional ride by and determine what
traffic posts will be necessary. (f) Arrange for the Helicopter fly-by. (g) Draw up an operational plan for the day of
the funeral service for the Fire Chief, the Honor Guard
Coordinator and the member's of the departmental staff. If possible, brief
the department's Official Family prior to the services. On the day of the funeral, the Ceremonial Coordinator will be in overall command, and the Official in Charge of the Honor Guard will be in operational command of the entire funeral detail. While each funeral is unique, the day of the funeral should proceed as follows: (a) If necessary, the Casket Team, along with members of the Honor Guard, will proceed to the funeral home and escort the body to the church. (b) Members of the Motorcycle
Unit will respond to the family home or other predetermined site to pick up the
immediate family and escort them to the church. (c) The Law Enforcement
Department will respond to the church, shut down what streets are necessary to
facilitate parking, and assist with parking the arriving departmental units. A
staging area will be established and a staging officer assigned to park all
arriving vehicles. (d) If necessary, prior to the
arrival of the hearse, the Official in Charge will form up the various
department personnel. (e) The members of the Casket
Team will transfer the body into the church
and the appropriate
honors will be rendered. (f) If the family has not
arrived at this time, the Official in Charge will maintain-the formation until
the family has arrived. After-the
funeral service all members of the deceased department and visiting agencies
both Fire and Law Enforcement will exit the church prior to the transfer of the
body and establish the various formations as determined by the Official in
Charge of the Honor Guard. As the
Casket Team, followed by the immediate family, approaches the church door, the
entire formation will be brought to "Attention" and when the Casket
Team breaks the plane of the door the order for “Present Arms" will be
given. Upon this order, all
uniformed members of the formation will render a hand salute. Members not in uniform will NOT render a hand salute
but instead shall place” their right hand over their heart.
“Present Arms" will be maintained until the casket is placed atop
the apparatus. At this time, the
order for "Order Arms" will be given and the hand salute will be
dropped. After the Honor Guard have
been dismissed and have left the immediate area. the entire formation will be
dismissed and should proceed to their vehicles and wait for instructions from
the Honor Guard Officer in Charge. Burial
Site At
the burial site, the Official in Charge of the Honor Guard will form up the
Color Guard and members transported by bus in the pre-determined locations. He will also determine that the Bagpiper and/or pipe and drum
band and the Bugler(s) are ready and in their proper locations.
Upon the arrival of the Funeral Escort, time will be allotted for the
arrival of the remainder of the procession, but in no case will the family be
kept waiting longer than twenty (20) minutes.
During this time, the Official in Charge will form up the remainder of
the fire department formation. As
the Casket Team prepares to transfer the body from the hearse to the burial
site, the entire formation will be brought to "Attention".
When the casket breaks the plane of the apparatus, the order to
“Present Arms" will be given. After
the Casket Team transfers the body to the gravesite, the order for "Order
Arms" will be given and the formation will be brought to “Parade
Rest." After the burial
service, the formation will be brought back to "Attention" and the
order to “Present Arms" will be given; the Bugler will play Taps while the
casket team holds the flag over the casket.
At the end of Taps, the flag shall be folded and given to the Honor Guard
Team Leader; the Honor Guard Team Leader will present the flag to the Fire
Chief. The Fire Chief shall present the flag to the members next of kin. After
the flag is presented to the family, the order for "Order Arms" will
be given. The Bagpiper shall play “Amazing Grace”. At the conclusion of
Amazing Grace, the Helicopter fly-by will commence. If an additional flag
(departmental) is to be presented, the deceased member's Commanding Officer will
present the additional flag. At
this point, the burial service is over and the formation will be dismissed. All
uniformed personnel attending any type of departmental funeral shall be in a
Class A uniform to include a uniform. Those
personnel who do not have a Class A uniform shall wear their long sleeve top
shirt with a black uniform tie. Those personnel wearing a standard uniform will
be permitted to wear their department issued winter coat should weather
conditions dictate its use. No lightweight, windbreaker uniform coats are
permitted. No civilian attire shall
be worn while in uniform (e.g. wearing an overcoat or trench coat over the
uniform) Chief
Officers and Honor Guard personnel shall be the only personnel to wear hats and
white cotton gloves. Honor
Guard members assigned to the Casket Team and/or riding on the apparatus to be
used as a hearse are permitted to wear black leather gloves. The Honor Guard
Team Leader or his/her designee will make this decision. All Honor Guard
personnel shall remain uniform. Chief
Officers and Honor Guard personnel will have the option to wear the issued
overcoat should weather conditions dictate its use. When the Honor Guard team
leader or his/her designee decide that overcoats shall be worn, all Honor Guard
personnel shall remain uniform. The
only additional item allowed to be worn on the Class A uniform is a black
morning band that is placed horizontally across the middle of the badge. The black mourning band is NOT placed diagonally on
the badge or on the hat badge in any fashion.
No civilian type-mourning device, such as a black armband or a
boutonniere, is permissible. Non-uniform
personnel attending any departmental funeral will wear court appearance attire
with their badges, suitably banded, displayed on an outer garment.
For those non-uniform personnel who may be wearing hats, whenever a
command of "Present Arms" is given, they should remove their hat and
place it over the heart with the right hand. All Battalion Chiefs and Station Officers shall ensure that their personnel are adequately inspected prior to those members responding for a funeral detail. Members of the Honor Guard have been directed to approach any member of the department who appears to be in a uniform inconsistent with the funeral detail, obtain the name of his/her immediate supervisor, and direct the member to return to his/her organizational element. PROTOCOL,
TRADITIONS, AND PROCEDURE Casket
Teams Moving
in the Church As
the Casket Team enters the sanctuary, the first two pair of members will remove
their hats, in unison, by reaching to the brim of their hats with their right
hands and placing the hat under the left arm, with the left arm bent so that the
forearm is approximately at a forty-five degree angle. Generally, this will be
done as the Casket Team follows-the clergy into the sanctuary followed by the
funeral director with the casket. On some occasions, it will develop that the
Casket Team will be entering the sanctuary significantly after the casket has
been placed near the altar. In that case, the Casket Team will enter in
reverse of the normal order, with the commander in the rear, so that it will not
be necessary for the Team to re-configure itself upon leaving the sanctuary. Prior
to entering the sanctuary, the commander will have ascertained where the Casket
Team is to be seated. Usually, this
will be in the first, or first and second pews, on the left of the center aisle.
Note that in the case of using only one pew, the member on the left of the first
pair of members will enter the pew first. (As a general rule, the second and
third pair, or ranks, of members will imitate the actions of the first in any
situation where the configuration of the Casket Team is altered in a minor way.
For example, should the Team, without the casket, be confronted with a
passageway that is slightly too narrow for the passage of two members abreast,
the member on the left shall slightly precede the member on the right.
The members in the second and third ranks will also pass through that
spot with the member on the left slightly preceding the member on the right. On
some occasions, when the Casket Team has entered the sanctuary with the
commander in the 'front, it will be possible for the Casket Team to exit the
pews to the left and cross in front of the altar to the center aisle. This
is desirable so that it will be possible to avoid having to re-configure the
Casket Team at the rear of the church. In the event of a line-of-duty funeral,
the casket will only be moved by the Casket Team.
When
the casket is placed on a truck, the procedure for moving is for the commander
to move to the front (foot end) of the casket and for the pull-man to move to
the rear (head end). The commander,
facing forward--away from the casket--will place his hands on the corners of
the casket just prior to moving as a signal to the pull-man that movement is
imminent. The commander will then
give a deep nod of his head and the casket will begin to move.
In the event that this movement is inside a church or chapel, the Team
will have previously removed their hats together.
The commander and the pull-man will hand their hats to the middle member
next to them before moving into position at the end of the casket. After the
casket moves past them, the remaining members of the Team, under the direction
of a designated member, will follow the casket, filling in the spaces left by
the commander and pull-man, as shown in figure 4. The actual manner of getting
the Casket Team into the pews, at this point, will vary according to the
configuration of the church. When
the Casket Team moves into the pews, they will halt automatically when the lead
member, usually the pull-man, has reached the point where there is sufficient
space for the remainder of the Team behind him. The Team will remain facing in
the direction of march until hearing the audible signal of the click of the
heals of the commander at which time they shall face the front of the sanctuary in unison. (In some instances, there will not be sufficient space
available and the Team will be forced to face the front of the sanctuary.) The Casket Team will be seated,
in unison, using the same audible signal. From
this point, the Casket Team will act as any other group of individuals in the
service. To exit the church, the Casket Team will, basically, reverse whatever process by which they got into the pews. At
a line-of-duty funeral, where practical, it is desirable for the Casket Team to
render the department's final respects to the deceased. (The most favorable
conditions for this exist when an open casket viewing is being held immediately
prior to the funeral service. This can then be done as a means for the Casket
Team to take their seats.) This is done by the Team approaching the casket from
the center aisle in single-file in the order in which they will enter the pew or
pews. The first member will proceed
down the aisle with the second member approximately twelve paces behind him.
The first member will approach the right end of the casket, halt, and
render a salute to the flag that drapes the lower half. (Should the second
member come into close proximity, he will halt at the first pew and wait for the
first member to move to the side.) After the salute is dropped, he will take to
left steps and halt. The second
member will be moving into the position just vacated at the same time.
The first member will reach to the brim of his hat simultaneously with
the second member rendering his salute. As
the second member drops his salute, the first member will remove his hat and
place it under his left arm. The
first member will then about face and take his place in the pews, while the
second member takes two left steps and the third member steps into the spot at
the right end of the casket. This
procedure will be repeated until all members are seated. Moving
outside the Church When the Casket Team is moving outside the church without the casket, the specific direction will be determined by either the pull-man or commander, whomever may be at the leading end, without command. In
the event that the Casket Team should pass the hearse while it contains a casket
draped with the National Color, the commander of the Team shall see that a
salute is rendered on behalf of the Team. At
the grave site If
possible, an unassigned member of the Honor Guard will be positioned near the
rear of the hearse for the purpose of signaling to the Casket Team that the
family is ready for the Casket Team to approach. It
is the tradition of the Honor Guard for the Casket Team to remain with the
casket for the duration of the gravesite service, even when there is no flag to
be folded. The presiding clergyman
and funeral director should be made aware of this fact in order to avoid
unnecessary delay in seating the family. Color
Guard General
movement The
Color Team does not execute facing movements, except in extraordinary
circumstances. In this way, there
is never a danger of inadvertently placing the National Color in an
inappropriate position. Presenting
Colors The
majority of times, colors will be moved into position for either posting or
presenting in single file. This may
be done at either "port, shoulder arms or with flag belts," but
usually will be done at port due to low ceilings, poor visibility as it
relates to irregular marching surfaces or other peculiarities of a particular
site. The Color Guard leader will
have previously surveyed the place where the colors are to be presented in order
to determine the proper stopping spot. At
the time of presentation, the right Color Guard member will begin to mark time
at the pre-determined spot, and automatically turn to face the audience. The
remainder of the color team will mark time and pivot automatically as they get
into position. After the
presentation, the color team will move off in the same form that they used to
get into position (either single file or abreast). Posting
Colors Generally, presentations will take place in front of the stage or head table. After the presentation, the colors will be moved in single-file to the place where they will be posted, which will generally be toward the rear of the stage or behind whatever seating may be facing the audience. The right color guard will come to his pre-determined spot and, without turning from the direction of march, will begin to mark time. The remainder of the color team will also mark time. The commander will give the command, "Colors" on a left foot, and starting with the next right, the flag bearers will turn ninety degrees to the left and automatically halt on the fourth count. The colors will then be posted using a series of' "ready two" commands, (Prepare Colors and Post Colors) upon which the following actions will be taken: (1) the flags will be moved from the position of which they were marched in to immediately in front of the individual flag bearer and over the flag base; (2) the flags will be placed into the bases; (3) flags will be turned so that the eagle and spears are straightened with the seam of the flag along the, back of the pole; (4) flags will be "fluffed" so that they are draped from upper left to lower right, when viewed from the front, with the tassels in front; (5) flag bearers arms are outstretched, straight from the shoulder with the palms down and (6) lowered slowly to the sides. Upon the command, "Colors", the Team will mark time for four counts, with the flag bearers simultaneously turning ninety degrees to the right, and step off on the fifth count, again in single-file. In
the event the colors will be presented and posted at the same position, the
previous scenario will apply. There
will be some occasions, usually when colors are posted in front of a stage where
their presence in the center would obstruct the view, when it will be necessary
to split the flags, placing two of them at or near each end of the stage. In order to accomplish this, the color team will approach the
places for posting as usual, but the fire department flag will halt near the
audience right and mark time while the preceding remainder of the Team proceeds
to the audience left, where they will mark time until the unit is halted
together. For the Color Guard to reform, after the command "Colors",
the leading members of the Team will continue to mark time while the trailing
members will-step off until the Team is reunited. Retiring
colors For
the purpose of retiring colors, the Color Guard will approach in single-file. When the right member reaches his pre-determined spot, he
will begin to mark time until the commander gives the command,
"Colors" on a left foot. As
before, on the next right foot, the flag bearers will execute a ninety-degree
turn to the right. Again, with a series of "Ready Two" commands, the
following actions will be taken: (1) taking hold of the flags; (2) removing the
flags from the bases; and (3) moving the flags to the position of in which they
were marched in. On the command of
"Colors," the flag bearers will execute a ninety-degree turn to the
right and the Team will step off on the fifth-count. In the event that the Color Team has been split, it will be
necessary for the leading members to mark time for a pre-determined number of
counts while the trailing members rejoin them. Miscellaneous Due
to the very nature of the Honor Guard, we strictly adhere to the provisions of
the Virginia Honor Guard Manual. Therefore, any stipulation against smoking in
public, wearing of the uniform hat, or any other appearance-related matter is to
be rigorously followed. Non-prescription
sunglasses are not to be worn in any Honor Guard formation. White
gloves, when carried, will be secured in the right hand. When the overcoat is
worn, gloves will be secured in the front of the coat by the belt with the
fingers looping over the top of the belt. It
is the responsibility of any member of the Honor Guard to, upon being made aware
of the presence of a member of the deceased family, a "survivor," to
see that the "survivor" is rendered special attention and whatever
assistance they may require or desire. As it is one of our main goals to make anything we do "look professional," practically anytime that we move in public, it will be marching in a formation. POSITION
OF ATTENTION Assume
the position of "Attention" on the command "ATTENTION." To
assume this position, bring the heals together smartly so that the heels are on
the same line with the toes pointing out equally, forming an angle of 45
degrees. Keep the legs straight without locking the knees.
Hold the body erect with the hips level, chest lifted and arched, and the
shoulders square and even. Let the arms hang straight, without stiffness, along
the sides with the back of the hands outward. Curl the fingers so that the tips
of the thumb are alongside and touching the first joint of the forefingers. Keep
the thumbs straight and along the seams of the trousers with all fingertips
touching the trouser leg. Keep the head erect and hold it squarely to the front
with the chin drawn slightly in so that the axis of the head and neck is
vertical. Look straight to the
front. Rest the weight of the body equally on the heels and balls of the feet.
Remain silent except when replying to a question or when directed
otherwise. POSITION
OF PARADE REST Parade
rest is commanded from the position of "Attention" only. The command for this movement is "PARADE REST." On
the command of execution ("REST'), move the left foot ten inches to the left
of the right foot. Keep the legs
straight, resting the weight of the body equally on the heels and balls of both
feet. Simultaneously place the
hands at the small of the back, centered on the belt line.
Keep the fingers of both hands extended and joined, interlocking the
thumbs so that the palm of the right hand is outward. Hold the head and eyes as
at the position of "Attention." Remain silent and do not move. "Stand
at ease," "At Ease," or "Rest” may be commanded from this
position. STAND
AT EASE The
command for this movement is "STAND AT EASE." On the command of
execution ("EASE") execute "parade rest" but turn the head
and eyes directly toward the officer in charge. "At Ease" or
"Rest” may be commanded from this position. AT
EASE The
command for this movement is "AT EASE." On the command "At
Ease," movement is allowed but personnel must remain standing and silent
with the right foot in place. "Rest”
may be commanded from this position. REST The
command for this movement is "REST." On the command "Rest,”
movement, talking, or drinking is allowed unless otherwise specified. Personnel must remain standing with the right foot in place.
"At Ease" may be commanded from this position. HAND
SALUTE The
hand salute is a one-count movement. The
command is "PRESENT ARMS." On the command of execution
("Arms") raise the right hand to the hat and with the tip of the
forefinger touch the rim of the visor slightly to the right of the right eye. The fingers and thumb are extended and joined, palm down.
The outer edge of the hand is barely canted downward so that neither the
palm nor the back of the hand is visible from the front.
The upper arm is horizontal with the elbow inclined slightly forward and
the hand and wrist straight. Order
arms from this salute is a one-count movement.
The command is "ORDER, ARMS." On the command of execution
("Arms"), return the hand smartly to the side, resuming the position of
attention. When
uncovered or when wearing a headdress without a visor, the hand salute is
executed in the same manner as previously described, except the tip of the
forefinger touches the forehead near the eyebrow and slightly to the right of
the right eye. PRESENT
COLORS The
order “Present Colors” will be given when displaying the colors before an
audience. This is accomplished by all colors with the exception of the National
Color being dipped simultaneously to approximately a forty-five degree angle
from the body. Colors shall remain in this position until the order “Order
Colors” is given. ORDER
COLORS The
order “Order Colors” will be given when colors are to be returned to their
previous marching position. This position is dependant upon the situation and
logistics. This is accomplished by all colors with the exception of the National
Color being raised simultaneously to the proper marching position. PREPARE
COLORS The
command “Prepare Colors” designates that the flags will be moved from
the position of which they were marched in to immediately in front of the
individual flag bearer and over the flag base. This
command is also used when retiring colors from the posted position. The command
“Prepare Colors” designates members to take hold of the flags. POST
COLORS The command “Post Colors” designates the flags to be placed into the bases. Flags will be turned so that the eagle and spears are straightened with the seam of the flag along the back of the pole, Flags will be "fluffed" so that they are draped from upper left to lower right, when viewed from the front, with the tassels in front. RETIRE COLORS The command “Retire Colors” designates the removing of the flags from their bases, and moving the flags to the position of in which they were marched in. |