The Flag Book Middle Tennessee Council Boy Scouts of America February 8, 2003
Middle Tennessee Council Congressman Jim Cooper, Board Member, Eagle Scout and the Flag Book Chairman, support the over 55,000 youth and adults in the 37 counties of the Middle Tennessee Council and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Highlights of 2002 1,145 Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Venture Crews and Exploring Posts 2,290 Youth in Special Needs Scouting (Handicapped and Mentally Challenged) 376 Youth Received Religious Awards 275 Eagle Scouts 150 Teenagers attended First Career Jamboree at Boxwell Scout Reservation 2,179 Cub Scouts attended Day Camp 2,589 Boy Scouts attended Summer Camp at Boxwell Scout Reservation 886 Cub Scouts at Webelos Camp & Resident Camp at Boxwell Scout Reservation Middle Tennessee Council Recognized as the Leadership Initiative Council 62 Scouts attended Brownsea (Junior Leader Training Conference) at Parish Wilderness Reservation Top Five Merit Badges earned were: First Aid, 534; Environmental Science, 447; Swimming, 439; Leatherwork, 429; Basketry, 423 Middle Tennessee Council in the Top Ten Councils (of 300) in America for: Cub Scout Camping, Boy Scout Camping, Leadership Training of Volunteers, Commissioner Service, Number of District Volunteers Serving Units, Average Number of Eagle Scouts each year 143,608 Community Service Hours in: Community Clean-up, Flag Ceremonies, Assisting Other Organizations such as American Red Cross, Can Food Items Collected, Eagle Projects, etc.... Scout Promise On my honor, I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country And to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. Cub Scout Promise I promise to do my best to do my duty To God and my country To help other people, And to obey the Law of the Pack. Scout Law A Scout is Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent Venture Promise As a Venturer, I promise to do my duty to God and help strengthen America, To help others, And to seek truth, fairness, and adventure in our world. BSA Mission Statement The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. For more information or to receive more copies of the Flag Book, please visit our website at www.mtcbsa.org.
Destroying Worn-Out Flags When the national flag is worn beyond repair, burn it thoroughly and completely on a modest, but blazing fire. This should be done in a simple manner with dignity and respect. Be sure the flag is reduced to ashes unrecognizable as a former flag. The Flag of the United States of America Captain Samuel C. Reid, U.S. Navy, who commanded the General Armstrong during the War of 1812, suggested to Congress that the stripes be fixed at 13 to represent the original colonies and that a star be added to the blue field for every state coming into the union. Congress made this suggestion into law on July 4, 1818, and provided for one star for each new state be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the state's admission. After the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Americans realized they needed a national flag to take the place of all the individual banners carried by the various regiments-one that would symbolize the newly created union of states. Finally, on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the following brief resolution: "RESOLVED, that the flag of the 13 United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: That the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
Pledge of Allegiance (Always face the flag and salute when giving this pledge to your flag and country.) I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. Flag Care Be sure flags are dry before storing them. Colors affixed to staffs should be carefully furled, placed in a flag case or boot, or wrapped in plastic, then stored upright-preferably in a cool, dry, dark place. Iron-on patches make rips and holes easy to repair. They can be bought in fabric departments in colors and various materials to match the flag. Follow the directions on the fabric package. Outdoor flags should be correctly folded and sealed in moisture- and bug-proof plastic bags. Store in a safe, cool, dry place.
Folding the Flag 1. To fold the flag correctly, bring the striped half up over the blue field. 4. Then fold the upper point in to form another triangle. Continue until the entire length of the flag is folded. 2. Then fold it in half again. 3. Bring the lower striped corner to the upper edge, forming a triangle. 5. When you get near the end-nothing but the blue field showing-tuck the last bit into the other folds to secure it. 6. The final folded flag resembles a cocked hat with only the white stars on a blue field showing. Displaying and Caring for the Flag of the United States of America Following the tragedies in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, Americans are seeking ways to publicly express a wide range of emotions as well as support for one another during this difficult time. One of the most popular methods of showing support is displaying the flag of the United States of America. The Boy Scouts of America is pleased to share the information presented in this handout-adapted from Your Flag, published by the Boy Scouts of America-to help you properly display and care for your symbol of our nation's unity, glory, and resolve.
Displaying the Flag When the national flag is displayed flat, either horizontally or vertically, on a wall or in a window, the union (blue field) should be at the top and to the observer's left when facing the flag. When displayed from a staff projecting from a windowsill, balcony, or the front of a building, the union (blue field) should be at the staff's peak (unless the flag is at half-staff). When displayed on a stage or platform, the national flag should be to the speaker's right. Any other flag is on the speaker's left. When suspended, the flag should be vertical with the union to the north over an east-west street and to the east over a northsouth street. The flag should be hoisted out union (blue field) first. Flag decals and stickers may be correctly displayed on the inside of motor vehicle side windows. Wearing the Flag A flag patch may be attached to such uniforms as those of athletes, fire fighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations. The national flag should not be used as a costume or athletic uniform. Flag lapel pins should be worn on the left lapel near the heart. Reproductions of the national flag in any medium such as jewelry, pins, buttons, or printed materials must show the union (blue field) on the top and to the observer's left when facing the flag.
Flying the Flag at Half Staff When flown at half-staff, the flag is hoisted to the peak for an instant, then lowered to the half-staff position (half the distance from the top to the bottom of the staff). Before the flag is lowered for the day, it is raised again to the top, then lowered. If your flag is on an outrigger flagpole or mounted on a wall and cannot be flown at halfstaff, it is appropriate to drape a purple and black mourning ribbon across the flag. Diagrams of Flag Positions
Diagrams of Flag Positions Flying the Colors The U.S. Flag Code, adopted in 1923 and amended by Public Law 94-344 in 1976 states "It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness." When flags or pennants of states, cities, or societies are flown with the national flag on the same halyard, the U.S. flag should fly at the peak, above all others. If other flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the U.S. flag should always be to the right of all others and should be hoisted first and lowered last. Flags of other nations must be flown from separate flagpoles of equal height, and all flags should be approximately equal in size with the U.S. flag. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.