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Retirement Ceremony for Girl Scout Flag
I Am Your Flag
I am your flag. I appear in many places. I have taken many forms and been called
many names. I was authorized by Congress in 1818 in the form you see now and have
remained unchanged except to add a new star each July 4
th
after a new state joined the
Union, until I reached my present number of 50.
I am more than just red, white, and blue cloth shaped into a design. I am a silent
sentinel of freedom. People of every country in the world know me on sight. Many
countries love me as you do. Other countries look at me with contempt because they do
not allow the freedom of democracy that I represent – but every country looks on me
with respect. I am strong and people of America have made me strong. My strength
comes from your willingness to give help to those who are in need. You strive for world
peace and yet
stand ready to fight oppression. You send resources and offer
technology to less fortunate countries so they may strive to become self-sufficient.
You feed starving children. You offer a home to anyone who will pledge allegiance to
me. Your sons and daughters gather beneath me to offer their lives on the battlefields
to preserve the liberty I represent. That’s why I love the American people. That’s why I
have flown so proudly.
Girl Scouts are some of my favorite people. I listen to your patriotic songs. I am there
at your flag ceremonies and I appreciate the tender care you give me. I feel the love
when you say your pledge.
I notice
that your hand covers your heart when
I am
on
parade and I ripple with pleasure when I see it.
Now I am tired and it is time for me to rest in the sacred flames of your campfire. My
colors are faded and my cloth is tattered, but my spirit remains unbroken. To set my
spirit loose, first cut the blue field away from my stripes. Tear each of my 13 stripes
and lay them on the fire one at a time. As you do this, think about the 13 original
colonies and the pioneers who carved a nation out of a wilderness. They risked
everything to fight for the independence which we enjoy.
Put in red and white stripes (one by one) as you say the following:
My first state was Virginia, next Massachusetts, then New York, Maryland,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, New
Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and finally Georgia.
Put in the blue field with stars as you say the following:
When my stripes are gone, kiss the blue field and lay it across the fire. Then stand
silently as you watch each star twinkle and fade into ashes.
Now I am just a memory, but if there was a tear in your eye or a lump in your throat, if
you felt a shiver in your spine as you watched me burn, then I will be back the next
time you need me and my colors will be fresh and bright and my edges will not be
ragged anymore. When I climb to the top of the flagpole, I will wave at you and
remember the love and respect that you showed me here tonight. And now Girl Scouts
– good night!