presentation of colours parade

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Nigerian Army retires, replaces 53 units’ colours, issues 28 new ones

[FILES] Nigerian army. Photo/facebook/NigerianArmy

The Nigerian Army on Thursday conducted a historic trooping and presentation of colours parade, retiring and replacing 53 units’ regimental colours and issued 28 new ones for newly established units.

The ceremony was conducted by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, in line with military tradition across the globe.

Historically, the British colonial authority was the first to issue the first colours to then Nigerian Recruitment Training Centre, now Depot Nigerian Army located in Zaria, which was established on Aug. 1, 1924, under the command of Maj. Hassar, then a British Officer.

According to the Nigerian history, there is difference between normal flags and military colours.

“Presentation of colours is a rallying point for troops and match location of the commanders in a better view.

“Eligibility of units to receive colours is another milestone as colours are regarded with great reverence.

“Regimental colours are awarded to formations and units after their formation and are retired when the formation or unit becomes defunct as a result of organization or structural changes.

“Colours are retired ceremoniously where the entire parade will give a final compliment to the colours.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that trooping and presentation of colours parade is conducted when retiring the old colours of a regiment/unit and presenting the regiment/unit with a new one.

It entails marching/trooping the old colours past the formed up soldiers of the regiment/unit, retiring the colours, presenting the new colours to the regiment/unit and then consecrating the new colours.

It is usually conducted once in 15 to 20 years as desired by country’s armed forces but the last time such a parade was conducted in Nigeria was in 2007 when 32 units/regiments were issued with new colours.

While commenting on the event, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who was is anchor of the event, said that colours of several units in the army had either been damaged or worn out since 2007.

Nwachukwu said that several units had also been established an operationalised and deserving of new colours.

According to him, these factors necessitated the approval by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, for the conduct of the 2023 trooping and presentation of colours parade.

NAN reports that the event involved trooping and retiring of old colours, presentation of new colours, march past, blessing of the colours by the spiritual leaders from the army and presentation of commemorative coin among others.

The event was also graced by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, members of the federal executive council, traditional rulers, services chiefs and members of the diplomatic community.

In this article

• Faruk Yahaya
• Nigerian Army

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The Nigerian Army on Thursday conducted a historic trooping and presentation of colours parade, retiring and replacing 53 units’ regimental colours and issued 28 new ones for newly established units.

The ceremony was conducted by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, in line with military tradition across the globe.

Historically, the British colonial authority was the first to issue the first colours to then Nigerian Recruitment Training Centre, now Depot Nigerian Army located in Zaria, which was established on Aug. 1, 1924, under the command of Maj. Hassar, then a British Officer.

According to the Nigerian history, there is difference between normal flags and military colours.

“Presentation of colours is a rallying point for troops and match location of the commanders in a better view.

“Eligibility of units to receive colours is another milestone as colours are regarded with great reverence.

“Regimental colours are awarded to formations and units after their formation and are retired when the formation or unit becomes defunct as a result of organization or structural changes.

“Colours are retired ceremoniously where the entire parade will give a final compliment to the colours.”

The trooping and presentation of colours parade is conducted when retiring the old colours of a regiment/unit and presenting the regiment/unit with a new one.

It entails marching/trooping the old colours past the formed up soldiers of the regiment/unit, retiring the colours, presenting the new colours to the regiment/unit and then consecrating the new colours.

It is usually conducted once in 15 to 20 years as desired by country’s armed forces but the last time such a parade was conducted in Nigeria was in 2007 when 32 units/regiments were issued with new colours.

While commenting on the event, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who was is anchor of the event, said that colours of several units in the army had either been damaged or worn out since 2007.

Mr Nwachukwu said that several units had also been established an operationalised and deserving of new colours.

According to him, these factors necessitated the approval by the Chief of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya, for the conduct of the 2023 trooping and presentation of colours parade.

NAN reports that the event involved trooping and retiring of old colours, presentation of new colours, march past, blessing of the colours by the spiritual leaders from the army and presentation of commemorative coin among others.

The event was also graced by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, members of the federal executive council, traditional rulers, services chiefs and members of the diplomatic community.

• Muhammadu Buhari

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Army Set To Hold Trooping and Presentation of Colors Parade

By nokai origin, abuja.

The Nigerian Army is set to present new colours to 81 units of the service in a historic Trooping and Presentation of Colors parade scheduled to hold Thursday in Abuja.

It said the National and Regimental Colours carried by units during parades and ceremonial activities are an important source of identity and pride, not only for the units involved but for the Nigerian Army as well as the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu stated this while briefing Journalists ahead of the Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade.

General Nwachukwu said “The occasion is used to present the National and Regimental Colours to Nigerian Army newly established and operationalised units. The event is also in line with the increasing operational commitments of the Army as well as the provisions of the extant Nigerian Army Order of Battle.”

He pointed out that the event which dates back to ancient history has served as an inspiration for heroic acts of self-sacrifice, a symbol of the fighting spirit of a regiment, battle honours and badges granted to the regiment in commemoration of the gallant deeds performed by its members.

The Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade to retire torn or worn out Colours which was last conducted in 2007, is expected to provide the Nigerian Army with n opportunity to showcase its reputation for excellence and Colourful Parades with the Reviewing Officer and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari as the Special Guest of Honour.

According to General Nwachukwu, a total of 81 units will be participating in the Parade, 53 Colours will be due for retirement, while 28 Colours be presented to new Nigerian Army units.

He said; “the last Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade for the Nigerian Army units was conducted in 2007. Since then, new units have been established and operationalized in line with the increasing operational commitments of the NA as well as provisions of the extant NA Order of Battle (ORBAT).

“Colours are usually retired after 10 years of service. Most of the Colours in the NA have been involved in multiple operations in various geopolitical zones of the Country as well as foreign countries, hence deserving retirement and the presentation of new Colours.”

“ The event is a unique ceremony not only to the units eligible for Colours presentation, as many are looking up to this ceremony to witness the height of military discipline and registration,” General Nwachukwu said.

Ahead of the historic event scheduled to hold on 27 April 2023 at Eagle Square Abuja, the Nigerian Army used the opportunity to inform the public that some strategic routes leading to the venue have been diverted.

These include the traffic light before Force Headquarters, traffic light by Milinium park and traffic light close to ministry of Finance. It also expressed regrets over all the inconveniences the diversion may cause to the general public.

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Buhari Arrives Army Trooping, Colour Parade In Military Uniform

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The President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday arrived at the Nigerian Army trooping and presentation of colours parade at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Buhari will unveil 28 out of the 81 national and regimental colours for the newly established and operationalised units and retired unit colours of the Nigerian Army.

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• DrillMaster University

All About Posting or Presenting Colors

DrillMaster January 20, 2018 Ask DrillMaster , Color Guard/Color Team , Honor Guard , Honor Guard Training 145 Comments

There is quite a bit of information and several situations that every color team needs to know to maintain the American flag in the position of honor – on the marching right or in front. The American flag never marches any other position . Never . Military and para-military (just about every organization that has its members in uniform) should follow military guidance.

Never march the American flag in the center. The position of honor is to the right- not the center . All flags are marched so that the finial (top ornament, the spade) is as close to the same height as possible. All flagstaffs must also be the same length.

Color Guard Formations

There are only two authorized formations for a color guard. Only two, Line Formation and Column Formation. Everyone who has served even a day in the military is familiar with both. We fall-in for a formation in line formation and when we are going to march somewhere, the formation is given Right Face into column formation and we can then march any necessary distance.

Notice in the graphic above that Inverted Line and Column Formations takes the American flag out of the position of honor. A color guard can never perform these two formations. Never.

What Flags do we Carry and in what Order?

Military, Civil and Citizen teams have different requirements. The colors listed are in order from the marching right (viewer’s left):

• All services must always march with their service color, it may not be replaced by any other flag.
• The Army is authorized to add a state, territory or foreign national color (only one) and can carry up to four flags, the rest being unit colors. Read here for more information .
• The Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard are only authorized to carry the National Ensign and the service color. They may add another three-man color guard for a foreign national or US territory color only. Read here for more information .
• The Air Force and Space Force are authorized to add a state, territory or foreign national color (only one) and can carry up to four flags, the rest being unit colors. Read here for more information .
• Civil teams (law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS) carry the American, state, municipal, organizational and even fraternal colors. The fraternal color can be omitted when presenting for local government functions.
• Tribal teams  , on Tribal lands, would carry the Tribal Nation’s color, American, and state colors. Outside of Tribal lands, the American would be first and then the Tribal Nation’s color. Some Tribal teams also carry service colors.

Side note: When an Army, Air Force, or Space Force color team carries the following colors, this is the order. No exceptions.

• American flag
• Foreign national, state, or territory flag (in that order)
• Military departmental flag
• (Unit flag)

Please read The Why of the Military Color Guard series of posts.

Carrying More Than One National Flag?

Let’s say you are part of an Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Corps and Honor Guard (a first responder fraternity). Many of these teams carry not only the American flag, but also the Irish flag. Why? The first law enforcement officers and firefighters were Irish. The tradition continues. Back to our situation of two national flags: All national flags are treated the same on American soil – they are not dipped in salute. Both remain upright even during both national anthems, if they are played. All other colors dip in salute.

Joint Service Order for Military Colors

This is the only order for service flags, service emblems, etc. For more information on why this is the order, click here to read Joint Service Order of the Colors . The right/lead rifle guard is a Soldier and the left/rear guard is a Marine.

• Right rifle guard, Army
• Marine Corps
• Space Force
• Coast Guard
• Left rifle guard, Marine Corps

Note: While service color position remains the same, if all service personnel are not able to be present for the team, their order should go as follows as far as knowledge is concerned: regardless of service or rank, the most knowledgeable (as far as color guard experience) member should be the US color bearer and the second most knowledgeable should be the right rifle guard. Third in this sequence should be the left rifle guard with descending familiarity following from there.

Joint Service Order for First Responders

Full disclosure: I developed this. While this is not a hard-and-fast rule, I thought it necessary to create an order of precedence based on the implementation of each service. Read this for complete first responder joint service information :

• Law enforcement officer (LEO)

Using the guidance from the military, team make up might look like this:

• Right/lead rifle guard: LEO armed with a rifle/shotgun, second-most experienced member
• American flag: LEO, most experienced member
• Other flag (State, etc.): Firefighter/EMS, can be least in experience
• Left/rear guard: Firefighter/EMS armed with a ceremonial fire axe, third in experience

Keep in mind the guidance that the most experienced member should be the US color bearer, regardless of service/profession.

LEO/Fire/EMS Working Together

I encourage and enjoy joint work, but there is an issue that must be addressed: Technique.

What about Military and Civil working together?

Nothing addresses this subject specifically. However, we don’t necessarily read manuals to see what is forbidden or not authorized as that would be a never ending list, we look to the service manuals for what is authorized and we have our answer already. Military sticks with military and that’s it.

What About the Uniform?

For the military, the Class A or ceremonial uniform is it. On base, the utility uniform is an option but only if the official party is wearing it. Never wear mess dress. For more read this article .

Does Height Matter?

Experience before aesthetics , always . Not if you have the luxury of each member of the team being around the same height, but for cadet and civil teams, it should come second to knowledge and experience. Yes, the team might look “off”, but it’s best to have knowledgeable members of the team in key positions rather than have aesthetics. Click here and read this article .

Flag Stuck, etc.?

Problem during the Performance? That’s why God invented the right and left guards for the team! The guards are there to fix whatever issue they can.  For more, read this article here .

Hangin’ Around

Waiting for the ceremony still requires proper protocol.

• Arrive at the site at least one hour early
• Practice while in your travel uniform (this ensures no one thinks the ceremony has already begun and gives the team time to figure out their movements)
• Change into ceremonial/Class A uniform
• Hang out* with equipment ready in-hand and all team members in their proper place (American flag at right or in front of other flags- yes, even just hanging around – cameras are everywhere)
• Ten minutes prior to show time, line up at staging position at Stand at Ease (or Parade Rest) ready to perform

*An example of how NOT to stand around. This is a USAF Base Honor Guard team, I have pictures of other services, this is just an example.

Sporting Events

For horse and ice rink arenas, see The Arena/Rink Colors Presentation article .

For baseball, basketball, football/soccer, see this article and this article .

Left Wheel, Right Wheel and About Wheel . These are terms that honor guards use to describe turns accomplished by the color team most often outside. Right/Left Wheels use the center of the team as the rotation point which means half the team marches forward and the other half marches backward to rotate the team 90-degrees in an average of eight steps for teams with four to six members.

This is joint service technique from the Marine Corps and ceremonial technique. The Army Wheel is just like the Marine Corps Turn with the rotation point on the guard position.

The team executes the About Wheel in the same direction as the Right Wheel rotating the team 180-degrees in 16 steps.

Posting/Presenting

While colors can be and sometimes are posted outdoors (read that link), my experience leads me to recommend that you present and not post. The wind just never plays well with other others. We, in the military try to avoid this as much as possible with the alternative being a color team that posts near the podium for the event. The members present and then stage the team for everyone to see. Sometimes this may not be a viable solution and you will have to have the event and location dictate how the color team handles the colors. See also, How to Present the Colors at an Event ,  What is Authorized when Presenting the Colors , and How to Plan and Coordinate a Color Guard Event . This article, How to Present the Colors at an Event , has great information.

Note: As a rule of thumb, colors enter at Right Shoulder (Carry) and depart at Port Arms. Entering at Port is fine if necessary.

• Halt in front of and facing audience
• Present Arms for (foreign national anthem and then) the Star Spangled Banner or Pledge of Allegiance (not both see the next paragraph)
• (Color bearers move to post colors and rejoin guards)

The Announcement

“Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation (and posting) of the colors.” Every time a color guard presents the colors, it’s called a presentation. At a formal event, the colors may be placed in stands, that is posting. The colors will always be presented, just not always posted.

Music to Present to

Why not both the anthem and pledge.

Having both is not necessary. The Star-Spangled Banner is a salute to the flag and we render the military hand salute, stand at attention, or place our right hand over our heart, and dip flags.

We will not find anything that specifically forbids having the Star Spangled Banner played or sung and then having the Pledge of Allegiance in the same ceremony. The military oath supersedes the Pledge from our first day of Active Duty so we in the military hardly ever recite the Pledge if at all. There are times we do recite it and that is explained in our protocol manuals. What we read in TC 3-21.5 (MCO 5060.20 and AFMAN 36-2203) and related manuals is that the only music to honor the flag is the national anthem.

If you are told that the anthem and Pledge will be part of a ceremony and have no say, a great way to facilitate that is to formally present the colors, go to Present for the anthem, (post the colors- for more formal ceremonies,) and then have the color guard depart. Once the team is off stage, the audience can be led through the Pledge.

If the point of contact insists on both the anthem and Pledge and the team remaining for both, have the team return to Carry/Right Shoulder and remain for the Pledge. After recitation, the team departs at Port (Port, ARMS; Colors, Colors Turn, HARCH).

Music Played on Entrance and Exit

A military march can be played for the color guard when entering and exiting and no other time. The usual music for military color guards is the Trio section of the National Emblem March. T his YouTube video from the US Navy Band is perfect (also below) and at the correct tempo (around 90 beats per minute is best when presenting/posting indoors). If you have a live band, you can coordinate when to cut the music off. If you play this or another recording, you can halt and let the music play out. If you can get in place before the repeat, please don’t let the whole thing play while everyone stands around waiting for the music to end.

Dipping Flags to the Pledge

US military departmental and organizational flags do not dip for the Pledge. The same goes for the JROTC organizational flag, which is dipped in salute in all military ceremonies while the national anthem of the United States, “To the Colors,” or a foreign national anthem is played, when rendering honors to the Chief of Staff or Secretary of a US military branch, his or her direct representative, or an individual of higher grade, including a foreign dignitary of equivalent or higher grade. Organizational colors are also dipped when rendering honors to organizations and individuals for which the military ceremony is being conducted.

What about other organizational (veteran groups and first responders) and state flags? Dipping state, territory, city, and county flags along with private/national organization and law enforcement, fire, and EMS department flags is appropriate.

Foreign Anthems?

Foreign national anthems are played first and the Star-Spangled Banner is played last. An example of this is a Canadian hockey or baseball teams plays an American team here in the USA. If the American team traveled to Canada, the Star-Spangled Banner would be first with Oh Canada! played last.

Other Music?

While there may be other anthems representing certain people groups, they are not afforded the same protocol as a national anthem. The public is not required to stand or place their hand over their heart. Let’s take the Black Anthem as an example.

While I am in no way suggesting disrespect should be shown to a piece of music that may have meaning to a number of people, it is not at the same level as a national anthem and is not accorded the protocol of standing and placing the right hand over the heart, a military hand salute, or even the color guard going to Present Arms with the rifle guards at the position of Present and the non-national flag dipped forward. If this other music is played, the color guard should only stand at the position of Attention if on the court/field and after that music has finished, the commander of the team gives “Present, ARMS!” and the Star-Spangled Banner is then played or sung.

The announcer can say, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Black Anthem.” After it is finished the announcer should say, “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise, (men remove your hats, and place your right hand over your heart) for the Star-Spangled Banner.” Here is where the color guard would go to Present Arms and the anthem would then begin. The Star-Spangled Banner must be last.

Standard Entrance and Departure

To Present or Post, that is the Question!

Posting the colors is for special occasions. How special? That is up to the organization. Graduations are a special time, that would call for posting the colors. Weekly events would probably warrant pre-posted colors at the least or presenting the colors only.

The Show-n-Go . This is the honor guard term for presenting the colors for an informal/semi-formal event. The colors are pre-posted on the stage/front of the room and the color team enters, formally presents (Anthem), and then departs. No posting.

This happens at all sporting events where a color guard enters the field and should be a regular occurrence for every color guard in the USA and Americans abroad. Formally presenting is reserved for formal events.

With the Show-n-Go, the colors do not matter. As long as the American flag pre-posted, the color team can present whatever they carry as their standard colors (American, State, etc.).

How to Enter

The standard entrance is to enter from the viewer’s right, present to the audience (then post) and depart. See the image above.

To enter from the viewer’s left, use Every Left On . Also, read this article . This avoids Inverted Line Formation explained above.

Flag Stand Positions

Below, is an example of different stand positions behind a podium. For more on which flags should be in which stands, read this article on The Logical Separation of Colors .

How to Exit

The standard exit is to the viewer’s left. See the standard entrance/departure image above.

To exit to the viewer’s right, use Every Left Off . The commander calls, “Step!” and the left rifle guard steps across, as close as possible to the team member on their left. Step any further away and the departure for the team looks terrible.

Asked to post another organization’s color(s)? Don’t! Read this !

Entering and Departing to Music

Music is not mandatory. If you are going to have music, it is best that it be live. If not, a recording can sound quite unprofessional. The standard entrance and exit music for presenting/posting the colors is the Trio section of the National Emblem march by Edwin Eugene Bagley. Here is the YouTube video of the USAF Heritage Band playing the march. The link begins the video at the Trio section . This tempo is about 120 SPM (steps per minute). For the colors, you want a tempo of about 90 SPM.

When to Retire/Retrieve the Colors

Retrieving the colors is reserved for the extra, extra formal occasions. Do not retire the colors for weekly or even monthly meetings. Retirement is for very formal galas or balls. Use the posting sequence in reverse.

• Color bearers retrieve colors and rejoin guards
• Present Arms for a few seconds ( military flags do not dip )

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Comments 145.

Thanks for a great article. During a Navy ceremony when colors are paraded, does the MC also render a hand-salute?

Yes sir, that would be appropriate.

Copy. Thanks DrillMaster.

In a similar vein, my pastor has asked me to carry and hold the flag during a short Memorial Day remembrance during our upcoming Sunday service (I’m a veteran). He wants to play Taps, and has asked me to dip the flag while Taps is played. I’m aware the Flag Code stipulates the flag should never be dipped — would there ever be an exception to this rule for a religiously-themed Memorial remembrance such as this? Thanks

Sir, I have been scouring the Internet for the proper sequence (if there is even a proper sequence). As I remember it, while on active duty, when Posting the Colours / Retiring the Colours for a formal military event (All Academy Ball, as an example), the sequence is Invocation, Post, Retire, Benediction. Is this correct or does it even matter?

SFC Loewen,

It’s not mandatory to have a colors presentation. Colors can be preposted and no color guard present if there is no room or other circumstance.

For some situations: Colors preposted Star-Spangled Banner (played or sung) Invocation Ceremony Benediction

For most situations: One set of colors preposted and another set carried for a formal presentation (show-n-go) Star-Spangled Banner (played or sung) Departure of the color guard Invocation Ceremony Benediction

For formal situations: Colors presentation Star-Spangled Banner (played or sung) [posting of the colors] Departure of the color guard Invocation Ceremony Benediction

For very formal situations: Colors presentation Star-Spangled Banner (played or sung) Posting of the colors Departure of the color guard Invocation Ceremony Benediction Color guard retrieves colors Honors to the American flag

I hope this is helpful.

I am writing the script for a promotion ceremony. We intend to use the show-n-go method. Flags will already be posted on stage and the color guard will present the colors, National Anthem will be performed, and the color guard will exit, followed by the invocation. I am looking for the proper commands. Please advise on the below: MC: “Honor Guard, parade the Colors!”

[Honor Guard presents the Colors.] [SSG approaches and sings National Anthem.]

[Following National Anthem, SSG returns to seat]

MC: “Retire the Colors.” [Is this correct, or does the honor guard march the colors back down the isle without a command from the MC?]

[Honor Guard marches the colors to the back of the room and MSG will be preparing to come on stage to podium and provide invocation]

MC: “Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain standing for the invocation by retired Master Sergeant XX.”

The MC should say, “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the (entrance of the official party,) presentation of the colors and remain standing for the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by SSG X, the departure of the color guard, and the invocation.”

That’s a bit for the audience to remember, so you can cut it into pieces.

The soloist waits for the color guard commander to give Present, Arms, and then begins to sing.

When the singing monsters s finished, the color guard departs on its own, no prompt given. As soon as the team is out of site (through a doorway), then the invocation.

If hope that’s helpful for you.

Would this be correct: Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the Knights of Columbus (insert Council name/number) and the presentation of the colors and remain standing for the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by SSG X, the departure of the color guard.

Yes, adding a personalization is fine.

Hello, forgive me if I thought wrong. I thought the our American flag would be vertically straight toward heaven and all others would be dipped forward at 30 degrees or so. I thought that was the place of honor. Thank you.

Mr. Venzke,

The position of honor is on the marching right for the a colors guard. The American flag is ALWAYS on the marching right in Line Formation and at the front in Column Formation. It is never anywhere else. The Army, Air Force, and Space Force require a “slight” angle forward for the staffs while the other services require the staffs to be vertical.

All staffs match in direction at all times except for Present Arms/Eyes Right. For that, all organizational flags dip with a full arm extension. If more than one flagstaff is dipped, those staff angles also match.

That’s the standard for the US military.

When doing a closing flag ceremony (I’m a Cub Scout Den Leader), when the flag bearers have retrieved the flags and are told to return to ranks, do they go to what is now the back of the line upon exiting or in the front of the line after the color guard has done an about face toward the back of the room. We use a two column formation. We generally have however many scouts are in a den participate as the color guard so everyone has a chance to be in the ceremony. I can find all kinds of videos online with the opening indoor ceremony, but not closing.

Ma’am,

Color guard members do not execute About Face to (To the) Rear March.

There are several ways to enter and depart with the flags that are shown above. The color guard (in your case your two flag bearers and, if you choose, two unarmed guards) usually keep to themselves not joining the rest of the membership until after the colors are secured. The bearers should go and put the colors up and then can return to the others, but retrieval of the flags is the last thing that takes place, there’s nothing accomplished after (unless it’s a formal event where there will be dancing). I’m not sure if this is helpful.

Rotaton of flag bearers through den membership is a very good idea as it promotes better understanding of responsibilities we have toward rendering honor and respect to out flag.

I am a member of a law enforcement HG. We are often short on members due to shift work, court and other requirements. We normally have four members to post colors, however is it ever acceptable to post with two and not have guards?

I just talked about this on my social media. Here’s the text from that post.

Sent in with a question: Aren’t the colors always escorted/guarded?

The answer is yes and there are exceptions. I’ll explain. For the military, yes, absolutely all the time the flag(s) will have two guards. First responders are paramilitary and should follow the same principle, but they don’t always have the manning in their honor guard team at many departments across the country. So, for representation, some teams march flags-only.

To add to that, scout programs do not carry a weapon, so if the team even has guards, they are unarmed.

Guards are not mandatory for civilian and civil teams because the Flag Code does not make that a requirement. Only the military manuals make it a requirement and that only applies to the military.

I hope that helps.

Good morning and thank you for this wonderful information. I cannot find a page that addresses who gets honors at a funeral. For example we have a Commonwealth Attorney who has recently passed. Technically he was considered “the highest law enforcement official” in the Commonwealth since they have law enforcement powers. He was retired from his position at the time of his passing… would a color guard be appropriate?

Having a law enforcement agency honor guard post a color guard for the graveside service is appropriate, if they have the time and manning.

Since he did not die while in office, there isn’t a protocol to support his funeral.

Is it ok for a civilian group…..no military affiliation nor civil, to have a flag presentation for members returning from an Honor Flight? To me it seems wrong and a plain civilian should only have the little hand waving flags. Please advise.

Mr. Resing,

While not necessarily “wrong”, I do see your point. Having said that not just anyone who wears a uniform should think it proper to pick up a flagstaff or rifle and think they are being patriotic without training and practice. It would certainly be inappropriate to have a fast-food restaurant throw four employees together in a color guard just because. That definitely seems wrong.

What standards will this civilian team follow? What training do that have? While the Flag Code sets forth the basis, the military takes standards much further. Finally, why? Why does this group of Americans find it necessary to pull out flagstaffs (and rifles) and not have one of the organizations mentioned below invited to render honors? Why not, as you have written, pick up small flags and wave them as we see many of our fellow Americans do at many parades. Americans take part in patriotic occasions all the time, I see no need for a group of civilians to try to do something others have been doing for decades as part of their job.

I would hope that color guards would be left to the military, cadets, first responders, and veteran organizations.

I am making a bulletin for a funeral at my church. The deceased is a veteran. We will have an honor guard from the Air Force base to play Taps and present a flag to the widow. What should this be called in the order of worship?

Thank you for your time,

Whether graveside or in the church, the religious service usually happens first followed by Military Honors. Military Honors consists of a firing party firing the Three Volley Salute and the sounding of Taps. For Veteran Funeral Honors, most often the military provides two service members to fold the flag and then sound Taps (in that order). You still call this Military Honors.

How would you recommend we handle a memorial service that is NOT part of a funeral? My church is hosting a memorial service for my dad but he will not be buried until much later. Is it appropriate to post colors in a situation like that? How would you handle it? Thanks very much

My condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father.

While the military, including veteran organizations, cannot render honors more than once (presentation of the flag, firing party, and Taps), the community/church membership can have the colors present for the memorial and have a nice service that centers around the stories each one can tell, a less formal occasion. Then, when the time comes to bury the deceased, the formal military honors can be performed.

That’s how I see it. I hope that is helpful for you.

The VFW and American Legion are conducting a Veteran’s Dinner. The local JROTC will post the colors at the beginning of the dinner but the colors will not be retrieved prior to the dinner ending. What is the protocol when not retrieving the colors? Does the National Anthem get played? As the Master of Ceremonies do I just announce an end to the formal portion of the dinner followed by attendees either staying to socialize or leaving the building?

The Star-Spangled Banner is only played or sung on the presentation of the colors and that is always at the beginning of a ceremony.

The colors are posted at formal occasions and retrieved only at very, very formal occasions.

At the end of the formal part of the evening, you can simply announce that and that guests are invited to socialize (and that the dance floor is open) for the rest of the night.

Good evening,

Recently my colorguard was performing at a high school football game. Do to some technical problems they couldn’t play the National anthem so they did a moment of silence. In the moment I kept my CG at present during the moment of silence. If this happens again what is the proper way to go about it?

First of all, you did an excellent job at the spur of the moment thinking. If you know there’s a technical issue at the outset, march on, guards go to Present on your command and that’s it. The departmental or organizational flag would not dip since it would only dip for the Star-Spangled Banner. I hope you are aware that military flags don’t dip every time you give the command to Present.

If a technical problem happens in the moment, just use your best judgment again.

Drillmaster,

Is there a certain requirement for the color guard on number of members for nber of flags being raised? We are a Girl scout group that dies regular flag ceremonies at annual girl scout events seasonally and we include the US flag, the state flag and the GS flag, it has come under question recently if there should be at least a certain number of girls in the color guard for that number of flags. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!!

There’s no requirement other than one color bearer per color. That’s it. If you want to provide guards to march at either end, you most certainly may. Civilian organizations like Scouts are not required to provide anything else.

I know this question may make someone’s eye twitch, but can veterans perform color guard duties in civilian clothes for an informal event? Over the past 15+ years, a local organization has had a very successful veteran golf outing which included a color guard to kick it off. There has always been support by either a local National Guard or Reserve unit, VFW post, or American Legion post (all in uniform). This year we have completely exhausted trying to find a group that can do it. We have veterans who are golfing who have volunteered to do the color guard, but only 1 still has a dress uniform (which doesn’t fit well). We’d still like to continue the tradition, but I don’t want anyone having heart attacks when they see 4 guys in polos and shorts posting the colors. Thanks for any insight…

No eye twitching here. What you describe sounds like the perfect solution. Four guys in polo shirts and shorts (a uniform of sorts) presenting the colors just before the golf tournament in which they will participate works.

I am organizing a parade in a small town of Arkansas. I would like to include a color guard. I’m wondering whom I could contact to arrange this. Any information you could provide would be helpful. Thank you & thank you for your service.

Ms. Pierron,

Your local police department, sheriff’s office, fire department, veteran group, and high school JROTC are all liable to have a color guard each.

RE: White Gloves

I’ve heard that white gloves are only to be worn with long sleeve uniform. I’ve also heard that they may be worn with short sleeve as well. Which is it? Both? Is there a proper white glove etiquette?

Traditionally, military members have always presented the colors in the Class A or ceremonial uniform and both only have long sleeves. This is probably where the “white gloves are only worn with long sleeves” idea comes from. There’s no rule that I’m aware of. It is best, however, to tuck the sleeve of the glove into the the hand so that the glove’s crease is at the wrist. That presents a professional image. DM

I belong to a Veterans Group and we are having our 40th. Anniversary. I need some help on placing the following flags

American Pow/Mia Org flag Agent Orange

Any assistance would be so appreciated.

Mr. Davison,

As you look at the flags (audience’s perspective), the American will be on your left, (state flag goes here, if you choose to display it,) the organization’s flag is next (at the American’s left, viewer’s right), the Agent Orange flag, and then last is the POW/MIA flag.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

I am the clerk of the school board for a school system in Virginia. Our board holds twice-monthly meetings. We have five high schools in our county, so on a rotational basis we have a high school JROTC color guard unit come in to present the colors for our Pledge of Allegiance at each board meeting.

I have no military background myself, so please forgive my ignorance about protocols. My question for you is this: How should I refer to the color guard unit’s presentation? Is it “posting” of the colors or is it “presentation” of the colors? (Or something else?)

We’re located next door to Quantico. Out of respect for our local military families, I want to be accurate in how I refer to the color guard presentation on our meeting agendas. Thanks in advance for your help.

Sir/Ma’am,

I very much appreciate you wanting to use the correct terminology. I just updated the article to include that information and I’ll provide it for you here.

All colors presentations are a Presentation. When the occasion is more formal, the colors are posted. Your meetings are not in the formal category, so your announcement would be, “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of the colors by XYZ high school Junior ROTC.”

Again, thank you for your attention to detail!

At the beginning of our University’s Women’s Basketball game, it has been customary that an ROTC Color Guard enter the Arena, formally, and present the Colors, followed by the National Anthem. During the first game of this season, the Color Guard entered , as usual. The PA announcer directed the audience to join in the playing of the Black Anthem, which was followed by the National Anthem. The audience was standing, holding their right hands on their hearts, expecting the National Anthem. The Black Anthem is a beautiful song with inspirational lyrics, but is it expected that the audience be showing the same respect by standing as if the National Anthem was being played?

Thank you for your question. From a protocol standpoint, the public is asked to stand for national anthems. These anthems represent nations and not just people based on any other factor (language, skin color, etc.). It is respectful to stand for the anthems of friendly foreign countries at sporting events in the USA where a Canadian or Mexican team might play an American team. The foreign anthem is played first and the home anthem, our Star-Spangled Banner is this case, is played last.

The announcer can say, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Black Anthem.” After it is finished the announcer should say, “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise, (men remove your hats, and place your right hand over your heart) for the Star-Spangled Banner.” Here is where the color guard would go to Present Arms and the anthem would then begin.

I hope you find this helpful. Protocol and military standards are both very specific.

Hi DrillMaster,

First, thanks for a wonderful website and your time in effort maintaining it.

I am an adult leader and our Boy Scout Troop has been asked to provide the color guard to present the colors for the Veteran’s Day opening day ceremony of our chartered organization school. I’ve read about what you describe as a Show-n-Go, which is what they are asking for. This will take place in the school courtyard where no colors are previously posted. Our Scouts (both Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts) will be in Class-As.

Our color guard would use our American flag on our flag pole. They would enter from audience front left, walk to the center, pivot right, go up some stairs and then use Every Left On to present the colors on the right of the speaker. The Cub Scouts would lead in Pledge of Allegiance, then the school would sing the Star Spangled Banner. Finally we would exit.

I’ve only previously posted colors for our weekly Troop meetings or seen color guard posting colors at Summer Camp.

How does this sound? Anything to improve or change? What would an example script look like for something like this look like?

Thanks for your help!

Sir, Excellent plan!! I’m very impressed that you have read so much of my website and then formulated the process that fits your situation best. Well done! The script might go:

Announer: ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the (playing/singing of the) Star-Spangled Banner.

Colors enter and post.

Pledge and anthem. (Note, both are not necessary. The anthem takes precedence.)

Colors depart.

Announcer: please be seated.

I hope that’s helpful and that you and your Scouts have a great time.

Our Girl Scout troop is excited to participate in their school’s Veterans Day program and has the honor of being the Color Guard. This will be the girls second time and they take this very seriously. The teacher responsible for coordinating the program has requested they both raise the flag and present the Colors. My concern is there is no official “protocol” for this and we may inadvertently offend someone or disrespect the flag/Veterans in attendance in some way by doing this.

Is there a protocol for this? Or should we respectfully push back on doing both? Your guidance is greatly appreciated.

Girl Scout troop leader

Ms. DeLoach,

What a great opportunity for your girls!

There isn’t a protocol problem with having both, but it is out of the norm.

For the colors presentation, the Star-Spangled Banner is played and for the flag raising (called a Flag Detail), the anthem is also played. I suggest only the Flag Detail for this reason.

You can present the colors, have the team remain, bring the Flag Detail in, but if you don’t have enough members to do both simultaneously, the color guard can present and depart.

Please let me know if you require any information specific to the color guard or Flag Detail. I’m more than happy to assist.

I am the director of a community youth choir and we are presenting a Veteran’s Day Concert in a few weeks. I have invited a color guard to present the flags to open the program. I am planning to follow with the Star Spangled Banner. Should the flags be presented in a quiet auditorium or with music in the background? Also, once the flags are on stage should they be retired at the end of the program since this is not a formal event? I’ve read many comments but wasn’t sure. I was wondering about having taps played at the end of the program following a song which honors our veterans. The reason was to honor friends and family of our veterans who may no longer be with us. A veteran told me this should be all right. Is this appropriate (I understand Memorial Day is in memory of those we’ve lost) and should taps be played before flags are retired if at all? I am putting the program together and wanted to make sure we were following correct protocol. Thank you!

Ms. Hesinch,

What a thoughtful question. I appreciate it when my fellow Americans care about doing the right thing.

Here is my suggestion for you to begin the program: Announcer: “Ladies and gentlemen, we will begin in just a few minutes. Please silence all cell phones.” The color guard posts to their staging position and stands at Parade Rest. At the scheduled time: “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation (posting) of the colors.” This is the cue for the color guard to come to Attention, Carry Colors, and to march forward to center on the audience (on stage). Background music is not appropriate but the Trio section of National Emblem is a great military standard. You can find it here: href=”https://youtu.be/xJGATbPTy7E” title=”Trio to National Emblem” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”> the link opens a new tab in your browser. Playing this section of the march (this slowly) can be very awkward for color guard members who do not have experience. If the team has not marched to music before, I suggest silence.

When the team commander gives “Present Arms!” (it needs to be a loud command), that’s when the Star-Spangled banner is played. When then the music finishes, the team can depart if an American flag is already in view, or they can post the flags in stands on the stage. Once the team posts the flags, they depart and the announcer tells the audience: “Please be seated.”

The lack of formality of the event requires the flags to not be formally retired. The color guard can informally gather the flags after the event is finished. Flags are only retired at “white tie” type events and those are quite rare.

Veterans Day recognizes living veterans, we do not collectively mourn the loss of veterans who have died on this day. It is inappropriate to sound (not play) Taps for the event. The veteran who told you it would be alright is incorrect. Taps is sounded for deceased veterans at their funerals, they are recognized then. As you noted, Memorial Day is for the veterans who did not return home alive and Taps is appropriate then.

Please let me know if you have any further questions and, again, thank you for being diligent in seeking to follow protocol.

Thank you! Your response is very helpful and much appreciated!

Is it ok to present the colors in a uniform other than dress uniform? For example OCPs (Operationl Camouflage pattern)?

The color guard should be in the same uniform as the official party. On a military installation, presenting in the utility uniform can be perfectly accessible. Off base, it’s not a good choice. Class A should be the standard.

What would be the appropriate way to present an Armed Forces Color Guard and a foreign national flag at an event.

The Army, Air Force, and Space Force, according to their regulations, can include the foreign national flag in the formation.

The Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard, according to their regulations, must have a separate three-man team to carry the foreign national flag.

So, whichever standards you follow, or, if you are a mixed (veteran) group, choose to follow, you are covered.

Thank you for the response. To elaborate it is an active duty Armed Forces Color Guard (9 Person with all services). I’ve heard that with joint service teams the senior service manual is used, however I haven’t seen any clear guidance or regulations for Joint Service Color Guards.

The joint service color guard made up of the service honor guard units in and around Washington DC use the Army ceremonial techniques.

The same goes for any time two or three teams perform at the same ceremony. The senior service always leads.

From this we can take note that the senior service is the one to follow.

Hello, we are wanting to have a flag posting for the first day of school, we have two options for an outdoors ceremony: Have color guard advance with folded standard which is then presented and then hoisted, recite pledge, and then sing school song. OR; Have standard posted on outdoor pole, and then have color guard advance with U.S. flag and school flag, present the colors, say pledge, sing school song, and then dismiss flags, then carry on the rest of the ceremony. Which would be the best alternative? And perhaps the wording of the best alternative-“please stand for the presentation of the colors”, etc.

Mrs Peterson,

Thank you for your question. What great ideas!

Your first idea is for a Flag Detail (not called a color guard). The flag detail brings in the national (state, school) with one bearer per flag and two team members to work the halyard. I would stick with just raising the national on one pole if you have separate poles and then raise the others after the ceremony or, if you have one pole and two flags, that would work just as easily. The procedure would be: Announcer- “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the advancement and raising of our national flag (nation’s colors).” Everyone stands, flag detail enters, attaches flag, commander gives “Present, ARMS”, flag is raised to the top, halyard secured, halyard bearers salute, commander gives “Order, ARMS”. Flag Detail remains at pole (can be dismissed, but adds to the timing and can seem awkward for what follows). Announcer-“Please join in the Pledge of Allegiance.” Recitation. Sing school song. Dismissal. If you are going to have the color guard, same procedure as above except for the following. Announcer- “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of the colors.” Color guard is centered and facing the audience, commander gives “Present, ARMS”. Pledge, song. Announcer- “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the dismissal of the colors.”

If everyone is standing and no one is seated, then the announcement could be, “Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the front (flag pole) for the…”

I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Our City is organizing a 9/11 event and would like our Color Guard team to perform. We are always first up to start off any event we attend. They have us scheduled for the end. What is your take on that? Thank you!

MSgt Piccolo,

Thank you for your question. I first thought you were going to say that the team would be second, maybe third, but last?

It’s quite possible that another color guard will formally present the colors for the anthem and that your team will have a special presentation (akin to retrieving the colors possibly) to close out the event.

I know that many event organizers try to include as many local organizations as possible and even rotate through these organizations for yearly events.

I do think you should contact those in charge and see what their thinking is and how your team fits in as presenting last is unusual. You want to guard against thinking that puts the honor of the flag and the team at risk.

Please let me know what happens as I am quite curious!

Dear sirs We are having a family reunion and would like to have a flag presentation of some kind. We have no scout troops and no one in uniform. What would be acceptable.

May I suggest either mount the flag on a building or post or have a pole, permanent or temporary, in the ground and raise the flag and have everyone recite the Pledge.

OK US Flag is prePosted at stage on left about fron left of table-podium with Eagle facing away from assembly. To present or is it Post the colors, they rotate the Eagle towards the assembly. And we salute during the Turning saying “PRESENT ARMS” then when done say “TWO”.

We are being told that US Flag should be PUSHED BACK away from Podium-Table to RETIRE IT?

Where is this WRITTEN as FLAG ETIQUETTE? To Move US FLAG forward to Front of Podium-Table at beginning of a Meeting and then Push it Back to RETIRE it? This has caused some negative comments as to what is the right way to PRESENT prePosted US Flag and then to RETIRE a PrePosted US FLAG???? I trust my questions about situation makes sense as to how to CORRECTLY prsent and retire a prePOSTED US FLAG. Thanks.

Neither rotating nor pushing a posted flag back and forth has anything to do with flag etiquette. Whoever thought this up did just that- thought it up. It has no basis in reality as far as protocol is concerned.

Posting a flag means to bring it before an audience, present it with the Star-Spangled Banner, post it and have the individual depart. The Pledge can be a substitute, but is usually for civilian audiences. Military audiences use the national anthem since our oath covers us for life.

To retire the colors means the opposite: to retrieve the flag, salute it, and have the flag leave the presence of the audience.

The commands for rendering a salute are: “Present, ARMS!” and then “Order, ARMS!” that is the Army, Air Force, and Space Force technique. “Hand, SALUTE!” followed by “Ready, TWO!” are the commands that the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard use. You are mixing the two and using an incomplete command.

Having a preposted flag is just fine. It should not be rotated, pushed forward, or pushed backward. As long as the flag has a prominent place during your meetings, you are following protocol. Any other time, the flag can be less prominent- pushed back to the rear of the stage.

I hope this helps. DM

Hello, Recently I was at a High School Graduation and the U.S. Flag was present on stage along with the state flag. Before the graduation started the color guard marched in with the U.S. Flag and state. The National Anthem was played and the color guard marched out with the U.S. Flag and state. Is this proper, to have two U.S. Fags present?

This is a great question, thank you for it.

I have recently found out that some believe having two American flags at the same ceremony is somehow inappropriate. I don’t know where this idea comes from but it’s not true.

What you saw is called a show-n-go in the ceremonial drill world and is perfectly acceptable. It’s performed when posting the colors would be too formal and a school graduation is not a formal enough occasion.

I hope this answers your question satisfactorily.

We may have an event where one set of flags (American flag and two organizational flags) will be pre-posted and one will be posted by the color guard. I am directing the color guard, but I am *very* low pay-grade, and this is a national organization. Our Administrator will be there. I am urging a show-and-go, but I’m not optimistic. If we *must* post the colors, where should the pre-posted colors be, and where should we post? I’m thinking pre-posted on their own left and posting on their own right. There will be a stage. Would it be better to have the pre-posted flags on the stage? If so, do we post to the left or would splitting be better (American on its right on one side of the stage; organizational flags on the other side)?

I feel your pain here. If you are unable to show-no-go (so glad you are aware of that!), I think your split post idea on the stage sounds like your best option. As I picture it in my mind, the split would have less of an impact on everyone noticing that org flag(s) will already be there. It’s bad protocol to not post all flags, but you have to work within your parameters.

Does the Color Guard dip the Service Flag when taps are being played?

Mr. Koehmlein,

Yes. Taps requires a salute when played at a funeral.

If you are posting colors at an organizational event but the aisle is not very wide, would it be appropriate to line up single file, American Flag in the front and Organization banners bringing up the rear?

Yes, that is called column formation. It is most appropriate!

I FEEL LIKE A FOOL, BUT WHAT DOES THE HONOR GUARD DO AND WHAT DOES THE COLOR GUARD DO. I HAVE TO PLAN A MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FLAGS THE COLOR GUARD CARRIES. WE HAVE CG, ARMYNG, MAARNG, AIR FORCE, 6W SPACE SQUADRON AT OUR SERVICE. WHICH FLAGS DO WE ASK TO BE PRESENT?

Hello sir, Many people get the terms honor guard and color guard confused. An honor guard is a ceremonial unit, a team of individuals. This unit breaks down into the three ceremonial elements: color guard, pallbearers, and firing party. Team members also perform a variety of other ceremonial duties: cordon, personak escort, Missing Man Table, Flag Detail, etc. The flags of each service present would be appropriate. Depending on the ceremony, you could have all six departmental flags posted on the stage (or just the American and state flags) and have the color guard bring in the flags of the services present for a presentation only and not have them posted. That would be the easiest.

JROTC in my child’s High School practices presenting colors in the morning (by the parking lot where students get dropped off) with the USA flag fully flying. Is flying the colors during practice appropriate? I’ve been out of the military for a while, but it seems disrespectful to fly the colors during practice and see cars and students casually walk by the colors without saluting it. Seems to me that practicing presenting colors should be done with just a flag pole.

I understand how you feel about this and I wholly agree your assessment. Only the Marine Corps Order (governing the Marine Corps, navy, and Coast Guard) states that practice should be accomplished with a furled and cased flag.

The issue we come across is muscle memory. Cadets practice and rehearse the exact procedures for a color guard in competition. The techniques they use require full access to the flag for the realism of practice so that nothing is a surprise when they step onto the competition deck. TO that end, it’s my opinion that color guards should practice with two state flags or practice flags made specifically for this situation.

The last thing we want is to have the presence of the American flag to be seen as commonplace and ignored. We may be too late in that regard.

Thank you very much for your comment.

How do one person post the US Flag inside?

You would enter into the room, stand centered on and facing the audience for the Pledge or anthem, and when either (not both) is finished, turn and post the flag. It’s not ideal, but it is a situation that some are forced into.

Is it allowed for the Color Guard to prese.t the colors to any other song then the national anthem?

Just to be sure, a color guard never dips the American flag, it remains vertical or slightly angled forward, depending on the service (See “The Why of the Color Guard” series of articles for more information). A color guard carrying one or more US military service colors only dips those colors in salute to the national anthems of the US and friendly nations. These requirements are spelled out in AR 840-1, MCO 5060.2, and AFI 34-1201 and apply to all services. All state flags are dipped to the anthems as well. There is no other music where dipping flags would be appropriate.

We post the colors at our Catholic Church every Memorial Day. Usually we have two of us in Class A uniform. I will be in uniform and a Knights of Columbus in uniform. I will be in class A uniform and carrying the Flag and he will carry the church Flag. We mean no disrespect, and honor Memorial Day. There is limited space, We pray that the critics will have a soft heart , we stand for the Flag and kneel for the Fallen

Mr. Zimmerman,

I have done the same thing on past Memorial Days, it’s just been me in uniform posting the American flag. The other veterans in my congregation have at least 20 years on me and have been happy to let me do it. You work with what you have and if you have just the two of you, all that matters is the intent behind your actions. Thank you for stepping up to serve our country years ago and now honor our fallen brothers- and sisters-in-arms.

I think I know the answer but want to clarify. During the Covid thing we are dealing with, my veterans org has been asked to do a color guard for a Memorial Day service. The current policy of the organization (all vets orgs in this state at the moment) is that we do not do color guards, so that means uniforms are out. If I am reading this correctly, color guards are done in class A’s, period. Am I correct in assuming that I will be disappointing the guy putting this together? IMHO, doing it wrong is more disrespectful than not doing it. It might be a moot point due to the short notice I may not get enough people anyway but I would like to know.

I don’t understand why your organizations would not perform colors presentations. Have we in the military not stood up in times of need?

Orders from a government official are not enforceable law.

Class A or B is appropriate for colors, A being preferable.

This may be a moot question, as it pertains to a fictional situation, but I like to have my writings as accurate as possible, despite it being science fiction.

The situation is a wedding. The Bride is a RAAF Flight Lieutenant, the Groom a USSF Captain. The ceremony takes place in an ecumenical chapel on a privately-owned, UN-administered island in the South China Sea. (Ceded from a future Chinese government for the establishment of an international space launch center.)

I’d like to begin the ceremony with positing of colors, with one flag bearer and one guard from each service. Would this be proper, given the circumstances? And would this happen before or after the entry of the mother of the Bride (the traditional signal for the start of a Christian wedding ceremony)?

Please and Thank You.

Mr. Harris,

Posting the colors before the whole ceremony would be perfectly acceptable but only on the fourth Monday of June in a year ending with an even number if the moon was in it’s 3/4 waxing state and there was a partial solar eclipse the following Thursday afternoon between 1343 and 1427. :-)

Seriously, colors are not presented or posted for weddings. If colors are present in the chapel, they are pre-posted and only the two national colors are authorized in this situation. The Christian flag could also be displayed.

Oh, and China would never give up any land whatsoever for any kind of use.

Is there a standard size, ie 5×8, for the colors being presented in a Show-n-Go? Also, do the colors have to have a fringe? I’m inquiring about a color guard that will be composed of Boy and Girl Scouts.

Thanks, Dimitra

Hello Dimitra,

Thank you for your question.

For Scouting programs I suggest the 3’x4′ flag on an 8′ staff. If you were to follow the Army standard, which most do, all flags are required to have gold colored fringe.

I hope that is helpful and am happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Copy all and thanks. The colors will not be presented at scouting events. They will be presented at Township functions such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and parades. The older scouts will be carrying them. Should they be larger given their purpose?

Good copy and thanks. The colors will be presented at Township events such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and parades. They will be carried by our older scouts. They are not for scouting events. Given their purpose would I require larger flags?

Not at all. In the ceremonial drill world, you would want 9’6″ staffs with 4’4″x5’6 flags. It’s not necessary to go all out for Scouts, not that Scouts cannot handle it, it’s just not necessary to “go big” when the smaller flags and staffs would fit the bill.

Thanks again. Last set of questions. Is the following flagpole hardware appropriate for our colors: Eagle for the US flag and military spear for the Township and State flags? Or does the hardware have to be uniform, ie all colors have military spears. Lastly, most of our events are outdoors, so which flagpole type is more appropriate wood or aluminum pole?

I would suggest the light ash wood guidon staffs topped with the Army Spearhead finial for all flags. Having said that, I can only recommend. The guidon staffs are built to last when maintained properly (use graphite on all the screws and joints and regularly ensure that the screws are tight).

Dear Drillmaster,

I am in the process of ordering flags and equipment for our boy scout color guard to be used primarily at our Township Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. I have decided with the flag sizes of 4′.3” x 5′.5” in accordance with the flag code for the US, State and Township flags. I read your blog on To Fringe or not to Fringe and tend to agree with you that nothing should be attached to the US flag as per the code, although I understand this requirement varies by each branch of service. For my purposes, what do you advise? Keep it simple and use flags with no fringes? Or include the fringes?

Hello Dimitra! I really appreciate your research into this, it makes the process so much easier and you end up spending money on the right equipment. Well done! I say, forget the fringe. Whole it may have served a purpose a hundred-plus years ago, it’s no longer necessary, nor appropriate, even. If you would, please send me a photo of your your troop with their new equipment, I would very much enjoy seeing and posting about a leader who has done things the right way. By the way, http://www.colonialflag.com is your best friend in this situation. Let them know I sent you.

I seek a practical reality check about long distance marching with the flag. Just as a matter of physical activity doing 10-20 miles several days in a row is a lot different than hiking with a pack. Obviously a color guard would want to work up to this, as athletes train for any event. I’d appreciate insight as to knowing whether such a goal is a reasonable one in the first place? Between the weight, the size, the length of the staff, the terrian and the weather there are obviously many factors. Do you experienced flag marchers have any insights or rules of thumb etc to share?

When our city has a parade, they have a chorus stand in front of the color guard and sing the national anthem. Many of us think that is wrong. We think the chorus should stand behind the color guard. What is the proper way to do this or doesn’t it matter?

The colors should be front and center for presentations. The choir needs to be heard, not seen. The color guard is what needs to be seen. While our Flag Code does not specifically address this type of situation, we can get a sense of color guard location from reading the guidelines set forth in it: the flag is always to have the position of honor and dignity. It is to be seen clearly by as many people (in this case) as possible.

Thank you very much for your question, I hope this helps shed light to help your community better honor the flag.

Yes, thank you. It was just what I was looking for.

Drill Master,

I’m the MC for an upcoming Veterans Day Ceremony which consists of Presentation of Colors and the playing of the National Anthem.The event will be outdoors at a Veterans Park Memorial. The scouts will be carrying the colors. The scoutmaster is prior service like myself and we both want to introduce some military protocol with the civilian scout commands. The mayor will be speaking at the event. Is it appropriate at an outdoor event prior to posting the colors for the scoutmaster to report ‘The Colors are Present’ to the mayor since she is highest ranking? Or is it more appropriate to present the colors to the audience, present arms, National Anthem is played, colors are posted? Similarly, before the colors are retired is it appropriate outdoors to request permission to retire the colors?

Great questions! What you are talking about is an Army procedure of reporting to the commander at a dining-in (for instance). The commander would know exactly what to do and say. Since you are dealing with a civilian for your ceremony, the mayor, I would suggest not introducing something that is accomplished in a military setting. On a similar note, I truly appreciate the scoutmaster and you wanting the scouts to be more aware of colors standards! One last suggestion – have a set of flags already posted and the scouts present a second set colors and march out. What we in the ceremonial drill world call a Show-n-go. The reason being is that posting the colors is for more formal occasions and indoor settings. So, the sequence of events would look like this: announcement to stand, colors brought forward, salute, Anthem, back to Carry/Port, depart, continue with the ceremony.

Thank you for your prompt and thorough response. I have one follow up question. I’m falling in on a program which always involved posting and retiring the colors and the program has been printed with this protocol. I never questioned it until I started to research the protocol since I am the MC. Even if we don’t execute a show-n-go is it proper to post and retire outdoors? I read in the FM that this protocol is reserved for indoors but can it still be executed outdoors? We also don’t have two sets of colors unless the scouts have a presentation set. The American, State and Township colors will be borrowed from the courthouse.

Having the program already printed presents a challenge for you this year. Since you don’t have two sets of colors, you might have to follow the program, however here us an idea: pre-post the US, state, & township colors and then borrow another US and state (& township) from a local police or fire department, sheriff’s office, or even the local staties for the scouts. The presentation would be easily glossed over instead of having the scouts post. No problem there except for wording. The retirement of the colors (really only accomplished on *very* formal occasions- black tie/mess dress) could be substituted with the Pledge or skipped with an announcement like, “That concludes our Veterans Day ceremony, thank you for attending.” or something similar.

Thank you very much. I think we can make that happen. The reference to retiring of the colors is at the very end In small font. There is no reference to posting in the program, only Presentation of the Colors. I could white out retiring of the colors if necessary. I’m having a meeting with the scout leader prior to our rehearsal next week where I expect to flush all this out. Thanks again. Your advise is very helpful. Dimitra

My pleasure, I’m glad I could help.

At the beginning of a football game, a local group of Boy Scouts will be unfurling a large US flag on the field. What is proper protocol for color guard ? thank you

Stand on the side where the bottom of the flag will be and present to that side of the stadium. The crowd on that side should see the large American flag opened so that the canyon is in the upper left corner.

DrillMaster–thank you very much for getting back to me so quickly. Will do!

I was wondering I see the USAF Honor Guard shouldering their rifles on their outside shoulders. Where is that exactly written?

The USAF Honor Guard, including the base-level teams use their own manual but it is based off of AFMAN 36-2203 where you see both rifle guards at the outside shoulder.

In a parade, does a national veterans service organization colorguard, such as the VFW, have a higher precedence (order of unit line up) than a non-veteran color guard such as the Shriners?

Great question. I would say yes, but a parade lineup doesn’t necessarily have precedence, although it can. The organizers can and do place entrants however they wish.

RE: The Pledge and National Anthem DO NOT go together. It’s one or the other. DO not use both. Can you elaborate? What reference establishes this protocol or instruction to which, or all, Services?

I’ve seen many ceremonies with the color guard presenting arms for the anthem, then port arms and wait for the pledge before retiring with the colors.

I’ve seen several ceremonies where both happen as well, doesn’t make it right.

Each set of service manuals (drill and ceremonies, protocol, and flag) explains when to dip the American flag, ceremonies are explained with reference to the Star Spangled Banner sung or played. We do not add to or take away from the protocols for these ceremonies and that includes recitation of the Pledge. We, in the military, do not have the Pledge as a part of any ceremony due to our oath. Too many people, wholly ignorant of service standards and traditional want to make things “specialer” or “ceremonialer” by adding their own selfish personal touch, making the ceremony about them. You won’t find the negative of what I have stated in a service manual, my statement is mix of the intent of several manuals.

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I recently attended a funeral – the PGR provided honors…during the ceremony, the PGR Flag Line held the American Flag in the left hand and when “Present Arm’s” command was given, each and every flag holder followed the command and rendered the hand salute via their right hand. Is this a proper, rendering a hand salute while bearing the flag?

Mr. Rudell,

Saluting while holding the flag is not proper. Even though the people holding the flags are not part of a color guard complete with rifle guards, they are still color bearers and considered “armed” (the flagstaff is a modern modification of the ancient spear). When your hand is occupied with a flag, you do not salute. Most likely the majority of PGR members are former military and should know better.

When standing a Flag Line at a funeral as an American Legion Rider, standing at attention with U.S.A flagstaff vertical in right hand, bottom of flagstaff on the ground to the right of foot and the VFW Honor Guard caller gives the command “present Arms”, should we raise our flag staff, or just stand there with no action?

Mr. Murphy,

Thank you for your question and continued support as an ALR.

On the command, you and the other flag bearers would remain at Attention. I’m do glad that you are holding the flag properly in the right hand. Many, hold it in the left and render a hand salute, which is incorrect.

While you and the others may want to do more, I can assure you that your presence at funerals is the “salute” that every patriot appreciates.

Good Morning, we are having a July 4th parade are want to make sure we are doing things right. The Navy Color Guard will be front of the parade. When they arrive at the grand stand the national anthem will be sung by a young girl. When is the apporiate time to start singing?

Hi Paul, At the appointed time of the parade start, the MC could say, Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the National Anthem.” At that point the commander of the color guard, the National Ensign bearer, should give a loud,” Present, ARMS!” and then the singing can begin. At the end of the music, the color guard commander can give “Order, ARMS!” and then “Forward, MARCH!” At that, the festivities begin!

Drill master, I just posted colors for an event there was four of us we had two rifles the American flag bearer and the Washington State flag bearer. When we posted flags into their stands I was under the understanding that when they seated the flags then dress them that they took one step back and the person with the American flag was the only one to render a salute and then they both marched off what is the procedure for this and?

That’s one technique and that’s fine. There are several different ways to post the colors and you seem to have accomplished the mission with honor.

When posting flags what is the proper location of the American flag, does the American flag get posted by it self and all others to the opposite side of the speaker

Mr. Pinkman,

This is a great question! I wrote an article, https://thedrillmaster.org/2017/10/03/the-logical-separation-of-colors/ and have updated the article above to include this.

If you have any further questions, please ask!

What is your experience when it comes to presenting colors for an event and one of the members is a no-show or is dropped last second due to an injury. What would you do if there is no backup and it is go time? I would think go with no secondary flag and present colors with the national flag bearer and two guards??? Or would it be a situation you just do not perform and inform the event coordinator we can’t perform the event?

Hi Carlos, If you have two guards and an American flag bearer, you are good to go. It’s not usual, but three is the minimum and quite appropriate for military, first responders, explorers, and cadet organization color guards.

our flag should always have guards alongside even not armed but with axes and or just personnell alongside her

Mr. Farrington,

It all depends on the unit. Military color guards are required to be armed with rifles except in a chapel, then they are uncovered and unarmed. Church-based color guards do not have armed guards. Firefighters use the ceremonial fire axe or a rifle, depending on their location/tradition. I’ll be writing an article soon about this.

Current situation,

Have a scout group carrying a folded national standard for hoisting at the beginning of a Memorial Day service…

Service flags in procession to follow for posting in stands around fixed pole.

Was considering the following order of events

BS Unit hoists Colors GS Unit leads pledge National Anthem (now contraindicated by your page information)

Would it be appropriate to have BS hoist while playing “To the Colors” then GS lead pledge?

To the Colors and Pledge sound like the makings of a great ceremony!

For US Army ceremonies (Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority) should a pre-posted National Color be displayed if the ceremony has a Color Guard “posting” another set of colors?

The color guard can enter and formally present the colors and then depart while a set of colors is pre-posted for the ceremony. If the team is actually going to post the colors, no other flags should be in the stands. I hope that helps. If not, I’ll email you or we can talk on the phone.

Preface: I am not military or Law Enforcement. Just looking for some advice so we do the right thing in parades and ceremonies. I belong to a Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (an Irish/Catholic benevolent Order). When we march, we can carry up to six flags and to pikes. We always put the American flag in the proper place of honor, on its own right. However, there always seems to be confusion on where to place the remaining flags. They are as follows: Current Irish flag (tri-color), Old Irish flag (green field with gold harp), Catholic flag, NY State flag, and the Irish provincial flag (represents the four ancient provinces of Ireland). I know the pikes go on the outsides to “guard” the flags. In what order, starting from the American flag, should the rest be placed?

Hello Patrick,

What a great question! Here’s my take on the order (and the reason why):

1. Right guard 2. American (on American soil) 3. Current Irish (foreign national) 4. NY state (states come after national) 5. Catholic (organizational flag) 6. Old Irish (previous foreign national not officially used) 7. Irish Provincial (ancient foreign national not officially used) 8. Left guard

I hope this helps.

Thank you very much. That is most helpful! Ignore the email I sent you. It was just incase this was not the appropriate place for this question.

Hello and thank you for this informative article. Question: is it appropriate to post the colors while wearing a bowtie? Uniform for upcoming ROTC ball requires the bowtie but I have seen elsewhere that only the straight tie would be appropriate for the posting/retiring of colors. Thanks for your help.

Great question! Simple answer: No. The color guard is dressed in the service dress/Class A or a ceremonial-type of uniform. What you are describing is a mess dress uniform and that is not authorized to be worn for presenting the colors. Mess dress does not include a cover (hat) and a color guard is covered (wears hats) in all situations except inside a chapel.

My JROTC Color Guard has been requested to present/post the Colors at an affair. The host wants us to post the Puerto Rican Flag as well. I’ve never seen this done before. How do we go about it?

If your JROTC is Army or Air Force, the PR flag is included in the formation and posted with the other colors. If your JROTC is Marine Corps, Navy, or Coast Guard, you form another three-man color guard for the PR flag with two guards. The PR and other US territory flags are considered foreign national flags when it comes to flag protocol. Don’t forget your departmental/JROTC flag as well. My recommendation is, if it is an informal occasion, have a full set of colors preposted and come in to formally present the colors and depart. If you cannot do that, post what you have.

Is it appropriate to have a ceremonial rifle as part of the honor guard in a church? I think weapons are not appropriate in churches.

Thank you for your great question. You will want to read this recent article, https://thedrillmaster.org/2016/09/27/weapons-inside-a-chapel/

color members with weapons, is there any requirement to have them on opposite shoulders when marching? one member is at right-shoulder arms, the other is left shoulder arms.

It depends on which service manual you follow. Army has both guards at Right Shoulder. All other services and United States Certified Ceremonial Guardsmen place rifles or axes on the outside/outboard shoulder.

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Local News | Blue Angels offer rousing start to Naval…

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Local News | Blue Angels offer rousing start to Naval Academy Commissioning Week

The Tuesday rehearsal and Wednesday performance are slated for a 2 p.m. start, depending on the weather.

On Tuesday, the Naval Academy, or Route 450, bridge will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., and again from 1:45 p.m. through the completion of the rehearsal at approximately 4 p.m.

The Naval Academy bridge will be closed to all traffic Wednesday from 1:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. or until the conclusion of the flight demonstration. The Severn River will be closed to boats and other watercraft from the bridge to Spa Creek for both days.

Both shows are open to the public. The demonstration over the Naval Academy is one of a number of annual events the squadron completes during its tour.

How to watch the Blue Angels

The Blue Angels show brings in thousands of spectators every year, many of whom will be Naval Academy students’ friends and family in Annapolis for the graduation ceremony.

Public places along the banks of the Severn River, like the area near the Naval Academy Bridge, World War II Memorial, City Dock and Spa Creek, are popular spots for spectators.

For approved guests, the academy’s Ingram Field and parts of Farragut Field and Hospital Point might be the best locations of all.

There are also nice views from rooftops in the city, aboard a boat or on a lawn along the Severn.

Boaters are advised to pay close attention to markers that show exclusionary zones and temporary channels marked by red and green buoys. Public safety boats will be out.

The Annapolis Harbormaster operates on VHF 17. The area of Spa Creek and the Severn River will be patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources Police, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Annapolis Harbormaster, Annapolis Police and Annapolis Fire Rescue boats.

In addition to the demonstration, Annapolis Commission Week will have a broad range of activities, including concerts, award ceremonies, and receptions with the superintendent, Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids.

Thursday: Color Parade

The final formal parade of the spring, held on Worden Field at the academy, highlights the presentation of the color company pennant by the superintendent, the company commander and the “color honoree” to the newly designated spring color company.

The color company is chosen each semester by virtue of its excellence in academics, athletics and professional accomplishments. The color company competition dates back to 1867.

This event is open to the public and starts at 11 a.m.

Friday: Graduation and commissioning ceremony

The week finishes with a graduation and commissioning ceremony at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Parking at the stadium will open at 6:30 a.m., and the stadium will open at 7 a.m.

Midshipmen will begin their procession into the stadium at 9 a.m. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. with a Blue Angels flyover set for 10:04 a.m. During the ceremony, the graduating midshipmen are commissioned into the Navy as ensigns or into the Marine Corps as 2nd lieutenants.

The commencement speech typically rotates among the president, vice president and secretary of defense. Last year, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin delivered the remarks to the Class of 2023, assuring the graduates that they were ready. In a break from tradition, Austin will be the keynote speaker again Friday.

The ceremony is open only to a limited number of guests of graduates.

There is limited parking available on the Naval Academy grounds. The best option for getting onto The Yard is parking at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and taking the free shuttle to enter through the visitor center at Gate 1, according to the City of Annapolis.

Parking will be limited in downtown Annapolis, as well,  with city parking garages being the best bet.

How to put gate addresses into GPS

Gate 1: The main visitor gate to the Naval Academy is located downtown at the corner of King George and Randall streets. GPS address: 52 King George St., Annapolis, 21402.

Gate 3: This gate is located at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Hanover Street. GPS address: 1 Maryland Ave., Annapolis, 21401.

Gate 8: Access to this gate is at Bowyer Road off Route 450 near the Naval Academy bridge. GPS address: 675 Decatur Rd., Annapolis, 21402.

Directions to stadium: Take U.S. 50 to Exit 24 (Rowe Boulevard) and turn right at first light onto Farragut Road.

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Things To Do | Memorial Day 2024: South Florida to honor its…

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Subscriber only, things to do | memorial day 2024: south florida to honor its fallen with special ceremonies, wreath presentations, flag plantings and more.

Did you know the poppy has become known as the red flower of remembrance? The Boca Raton-based Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10556 and other veterans’ organizations hand out silk or crepe-paper versions of these vibrant flowers every Memorial Day weekend in exchange for donations to benefit disabled veterans as well as rehabilitation and service programs.

VFW Post 10556 also organizes a ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Boca Raton on the holiday every year, featuring color guards, a national anthem singer, guest speakers, a bagpiper, wreath ceremony, rifle volley, and the audience singing along to “God Bless America.”

“We invite all veterans and their families as well as the general public to show their appreciation for the memory of those members of our military who nobly served and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States of America in the many wars and conflicts that have been fought,” said VFW Post 10556 Cmdr. Barry Goldin. “Their memory remains in the hearts of all of us and their family and friends.”

In Coral Springs, U.S. Army veteran Sandi Winters will be the keynote speaker during a city ceremony on Monday, May 27, also at Veteran’s Park. She spent three years in Seoul, South Korea, working as a civilian employee for the Korean Ministry of National Defense helping to build an Armed Forces Korea Network Station.

Winters moved to Florida in 2003, serving as vice commander of American Legion Post 277 in Boca Raton. She’s currently a member of the 142nd Post in Pompano Beach and the Veterans Coalition of Coral Springs, a volunteer at the VA Clinic in Sunrise, and regent of the Lighthouse Point Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

“Our Memorial Day Ceremony is a solemn but an important event for our local military community, because it affords us the opportunity to reflect and remember our fallen heroes together as one,” Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook said in a statement. “May the brave servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom always live on in our hearts and minds as we gather to remember and honor them.”

Here’s our city-by-city guide to Memorial Day events happening in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

BROWARD COUNTY 

Hollywood 

• A Salute to the Fallen Memorial Day Community Event is set from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at Boulevard Heights Community Center Amphitheater, 6770 Garfield St. It will include food vendors and music; bring a blanket or chair. Single-use plastics are prohibited. Visit hollywoodfl.org .

Coconut Creek

• Hosted by the City of Coconut Creek Parks and Recreation Department, this Memorial Day Ceremony will feature speakers and dignitaries at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Veterans Park, 3550 Lyons Road. In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will take place in the Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press Blvd. Visit coconutcreek.net .

Coral Springs

•  The city of Coral Springs, in partnership with the Veterans Coalition of Coral Springs, will have a Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Veteran’s Park, 8601 Royal Palm Blvd. U.S. Army veteran Sandi Winters is the keynote speaker. The event includes a presentation of colors and wreath placing by the Coral Springs Civil Air Patrol, salute volley and “Taps” performed by the Coral Springs Police Honor Guard. In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Coral Springs Gymnasium, 2501 Coral Springs Drive. Visit coralsprings.gov .

• The town’s Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, just west of the Davie Fire Administration building, 6901 Orange Drive. The route continues east on Orange Drive to Southwest 65th Way and then north to the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 4201 Rodeo Way. The Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Rodeo Grounds, featuring guest speakers, town dignitaries, presentation of colors, folding and presentation of the U.S. flag, among other activities. Flags will be available to purchase for $1 before the ceremony. During the ceremony flags (purchased or brought) can be presented to be placed on veterans’ graves. Visit davie-fl.gov .

Deerfield Beach

• The city and the American Legion’s Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the Braithwaite Center for Active Aging, 325 NW Second Ave., will honor and salute the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, focusing on those who gave their lives in service to the country. Visit deerfield-beach.com .

Fort Lauderdale

• It will be a day for remembering at the city’s Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery, 2001 SW Fourth Ave. With music from the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds with James Perkowski, the ceremony also includes an opening hymn, invocation, parade of colors and dove release, among other traditions. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov .
• The city and the William C. Morris American Legion Post 36 will have a Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the Sandy Nininger Statue on the Riverwalk next to the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. Other participating groups include Sons of American Legion Squad 36, Ladies Auxiliary Unit 36, Robert Bethel American Legion Post 220, 82nd Airborne Veterans, and American Veterans for Equal Rights. Free parking will be available in the Broward Center garage. Visit ftlcity.info/memorialday24 .
• The Northwest Lauderhill Neighbors Association and Commissioner S. Ray Martin are inviting military families who have lost loved ones to a Memorial Day Service from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Veterans Park, 7600 NW 50th St. Families who would like to participate and say the name of their loved one should arrive by 8:10 a.m. to be seated. Visit lauderhill-fl.gov .
• The city is having its Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Veterans Memorial Park, 7044 NW First St. Visit margatefl.com .
• The city will honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during a Memorial Day Ceremony from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, May 27, at Veterans Memorial Park, 6405 Arbor Drive. Visit memorialdaymiramar.eventbrite.com .

Oakland Park

• The city and the American Legion are partnering for a Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the American Legion Post 222, 4250 NE Fifth Ave., with city leaders and dignitaries. Visit oaklandparkfl.gov .
• A formal Memorial Day Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 27, will be followed by a patriotic concert with speakers and food trucks at Pine Trails Park Amphitheatre, 10561 Trails End. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Visit cityofparkland.org/memorial , or call 954-757-4215.

Pembroke Pines

• The city’s Memorial Day Ceremony is set for 9 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Fletcher Park, 7900 Johnson St. It will feature speakers, a presentation of colors honoring veterans and a wreath placing. A live feed of the ceremony will be available on Facebook.com/cityofpembrokepines or @cityofppines on Instagram. Visit ppines.com .
• The city’s Memorial Day Service will start at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Veterans Park, 1776 Lauderdale W. Drive. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook.com/CityofPlantationFL . Visit plantation.org .

Pompano Beach

• Put on by the Parks & Recreation Department in collaboration with Public Works, the Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27, at McNab Park, 2250 E. Atlantic Blvd., and concludes at the Pompano Beach Cemetery, 400 SE 23rd Ave. A Memorial Day Ceremony afterward will honor veterans, military service members and their families. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov .
• A wreath placement, speakers and the presentation of colors are planned for the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Sunrise Civic Center Theatre, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd. It is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27. Visit sunrisefl.gov .

• The city’s Memorial Day Ceremony — set for 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Veterans’ Memorial Park, 7825 Southgate Blvd. — will feature a keynote address by Vietnam veteran Levoyd Williams, an Army staff sergeant in the Americal Division who was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. The program will also include a presentation of colors led by Tamarac Fire Rescue, vocalist Chantal Deshaies singing the national anthem, a wreath-laying ceremony and a bagpipe performance of “Amazing Grace.” Visit tamarac.org .

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Boynton Beach

• The Boynton Beach Veterans Task Force will continue its tradition of placing flags on veterans’ graves during its Memorial Day Flag Planting from 8 to 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, at Boynton Beach Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 1611 S. Seacrest Blvd. To volunteer, email [email protected] . Visit boynton-beach.org .
• Also presented by the Boynton Beach Veterans Task Force, a Memorial Day Ceremony will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at Memorial Park, 1611 S. Seacrest Blvd. The program will take place near the mausoleum under the overhang area. Tents and seating will be available. Visit boynton-beach.org .

Lake Worth Beach 

• Flags for Fallen Vets will be placing markers at grave sites starting at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, May 26, at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S. State Road 7. Visit flagsforfallenvets.com .

• The Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the Boca Raton Cemetery, 451 SW Fourth Ave., will feature multiple speakers, including Bob Slone, veteran Air Force sergeant, American Legion Post 277 commander; Jonathan Oakley, retired U.S. Marine, senior director of Mission United ; Sally Nemes, Estahakee Chapter NSDAR regent; and Cary Reichbach, U.S. Army veteran, founder of Grey Team . Visit myboca.us/1470/Memorial-Day .
• The city is also offering a free Memorial Day Concert featuring The American Sirens from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, May 27, at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real. The performance will include patriotic songs and American favorites. Bring a chair or blanket; chair rental is $5 and free for active military, veterans and Gold Star families. Refreshments will be available for purchase, with coolers and outside alcoholic beverages prohibited. Visit myboca.us/1470/Memorial-Day .
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10556 will present its annual Memorial Day Program at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 9400 W. Palmetto Park Road. The event will have a procession of colors, speakers, a wreath ceremony and patriotic music. A livestream of the program will be on Facebook.com/pbcparks .

Lantana 

• The 19th annual Forgotten Soldiers Outreach’s A Day to Remember will honor fallen service members at 11:50 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Palm Beach Memorial Park Cemetery, 3691 N. Seacrest Blvd. The Memorial Day service will include massing of colors, wreath presentations, POW/MIA ceremony, USVII torpedo display, a dove release and patriotic music. Traci L. Caicedo, a U. S. Army veteran and Florida National Guard member, is the keynote speaker, and former news anchor and Army veteran Jim Sackett will serve as emcee. Visit forgottensoldiers.org .

Royal Palm Beach

• The village’s Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Veterans Park Amphitheater, 1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Visit royalpalmbeachfl.gov .
• A Memorial Day Mass will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, May 27, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, Outdoor Chapel, 10941 Southern Blvd. The mass will be offered for all who died in service, and there will also be a special military tribute to those who have served. A limited amount of seating will be provided, but attendees can bring their own chair. Visit ourqueen.org .

• Presented by the village of Wellington and the American Legion Post 390. veterans are invited to walk in the Memorial Day Parade starting at 8:15 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Wellington Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd. The Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial, 11848 Forest Hill Blvd. Call Michelle Garvey at 561-791-4082 to participate in the parade or ceremony. Visit wellingtonfl.gov .

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Memorial Day 2024: Parades, ceremonies in Seacoast NH and southern Maine are listed here

Memorial Day is Monday, May 27. Here is a roundup of parades and observances planned in communities in Seacoast New Hampshire and southern York County, Maine. If your town has an event you would like to see listed, email [email protected].

Residents in Arundel will observe Memorial Day on Sunday, May 26, with a brief ceremony at the fire station at 468 Limerick Road at 11 a.m. According to Jake Hawkins, the president of the Arundel Historical Society, which is organizing the event, an honor roll of the town's veterans will be recited. A minister will lead the invocation at the ceremony, and a wreath will be placed at the scene. Taps will be performed, and there will be a rifle salute. Students from the Mildred L. Day Elementary School also will sing.

All are invited to the Woodman Museum's Memorial Day celebration, Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m. at the Civil War Veteran Ceremony Monument in Pine Hill Cemetery for a ceremony honoring all of Dover’s veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country. This year’s service will be specially dedicated to the lives of Capt. Jack Casey and Capt. Ann Darby Reynolds of Dover. The ceremony will include a presentation of colors and addresses by local veterans and the executive director.

On Monday, May 27, there will be a Remembrance Ceremony at Memorial Park on Main Street to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our country. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Main Street with special guest speakers, musical tributes, laying of the wreath at Memorial Park and more.

Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 27 at 10 a.m., starting at 67 Railroad Ave.

A Memorial Day parade and ceremony will take place on Monday, May 27.  The day will start off with a ceremony at Swasey Parkway at 10 a.m., and wind along Front Street to Gale Park, with guest speakers and a flag ceremony. The ceremonies will conclude in the Exeter Cemetery.

Hampton area 

The American Legion Post 35 of the Hamptons invites the public to attend its Memorial Day observances on Monday, May 27. Ceremonies are at 8 a.m. at the Hampton Beach Marine Memorial; 9 a.m. in Hampton Falls at Weare Common; 10 a.m. North Hampton parade, followed by a gathering at the North Hampton School; and 11:30 a.m., parade through Hampton, followed by services at High Street Cemetery.

The town’s parade will step off at 2 p.m., Monday, May 27, in front of the Kennebunk Police Station on Summer Street and will proceed south on Main Street. The procession will stop on the bridge at the Mousam River, where a wreath will be placed on the water to honor those who served or died at sea. The procession will continue south, turn around on Friend Street and head back to where it started, stopping for brief ceremonies at the monuments near Kennebunk Savings and Washington Park.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport will give a 21-gun salute to fallen heroes in four ceremonies on Monday, May 27. American Legion Post 159 will host its first ceremony at 7:30 a.m. at the Cape Porpoise Memorial, followed by one at the Arundel Cemetery at 8 a.m. and the SP4 Terry Downs Memorial at 8:15 a.m. The last salute will take place at 8:45 a.m. at North Street Cemetery.  The Memorial Day parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at Mason Hall, turning right on Maine Street and onto Spring Street. From there, the parade goes into Kennebunk to Coopers Corner (Routes 9 and 35) and does a U-turn to return to Dock Square for a ceremony at 10 a.m. Following the parade, there will be a wreath laying at American Legion Post 159 and a barbecue for members and veterans at noon.  

The Kittery/Eliot VFW Post 9394 will be hosting a ceremony in observance of Memorial Day at the Orchard Grove Cemetery, beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 27. The ceremony will feature local speakers.

North Hampton

The day's events will start with a parade at 10 a.m. starting at the North Hampton Public Library and proceeding to the North Hampton School.  A memorial service will take place at the school immediately following the parade.  A barbecue will follow, which is free, though donations will be accepted.

The 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, at 10 a.m., will be held at the USS Albacore Museum Memorial Garden, 569 Submarine Way, Portsmouth.

Memorial Day wreath-laying will be held Friday, May 24 at 11 a.m. at Prescott Park waterfront by the anchor sculpture. The ceremony includes a performance of patriotic music by the Portsmouth Middle School ensemble and a wreath-laying on the Piscataqua River to honor those service members lost at sea.

The city and American Legion Post 168 present a Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, from 1-3 p.m., starting on Parrott Avenue and pausing at South Cemetery for a brief ceremony. The parade route travels from Parrott Avenue to Pleasant Street to Market Square, and then down Congress Street to Middle Street to Richards Avenue where the route crosses South Street to the cemetery. After the ceremony the parade continues along South Street to Junkins Avenue and concludes on Parrott Avenue.

The Rochester Veterans Council will host the annual Memorial Day Parade, on Monday, May 27. The parade will commence promptly at 10:30 a.m. from Holy Rosary Church, on North Main Street, announced by a cannon shot. The procession will then make its way towards the historic Arched Bridge over the Cochecho River. A memorial service will be held, featuring a performance of taps by the 18th Dover, 2nd NH Regiment, Revolutionary War reenactors. Following the service, the parade will continue down North Main Street, through the heart of downtown, and onto South Main Street, concluding at the Rochester Common. Attendees can then participate in the ceremonies at the Field of Honor.

Heroism will be on display at the Rochester common with the Field of Honor with 550 U.S. flags, beginning Saturday, May 25 and will remain in place until dismantling early Tuesday morning, May 28. The event is free to the public. Each night at 7, a bugler will play taps and a bagpiper will walk among the field of flags to commemorate the memory of members of all branches of the armed forces. On Monday, May 27, the Rochester Memorial Day Parade will end at the Rochester Common at approximately 11 a.m., and a Memorial Day Ceremony will take place immediately after. The Rochester Veterans Council, along with the American Legion Post 7, will open the ceremony with the presentation of colors followed by the laying of the wreaths for each branch of the military. Mayor Paul Callaghan will welcome all in attendance and provide opening remarks. The keynote speaker will be Ret. Brig. General Don Bolduc. For those who need to sit, please bring a chair to the ceremony.

Members of the Sanford Veterans Memorial Committee will meet at the Dunkin Donuts at 925 Main St. and 7:30 a.m. on Monday, May 27, and will travel to several local cemeteries to lay wreaths and hold short ceremonies. The public is invited. The committee's annual Memorial Day Parade will step off at the Armory on William Oscar Emery Drive at 10 a.m. After proceeding through Gowen Park, the parade will turn north and march toward Springvale. According to Gordon Kendall, the chair of the committee, veteran Becky Conley, the commander of the local AMVETS chapter, will serve as the parade's grand marshal. After the parade, the community will have a ceremony at the gazebo in the Walgreens parking lot at the corner or Main and Bridge streets, according to Kendall.

Somersworth

The city of Somersworth, through its veterans organizations, will celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 27. Memorial services will be held at 9 a.m. at Forest Glade Cemetery, at 9:30 a.m. at Greek Orthodox Cemetery, at 9:45 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, at 10:15 a.m. at Holy Trinity Cemetery and at 10:30 a.m. at Tri City Covenant Church Cemetery

The Memorial Day parade will form at the American Legion parking lot at 11 a.m. and will step off at 11:30 a.m. sharp. Brief ceremonies will be held at Veterans Memorial Park (former City Hall) and at the Berwick/Somersworth Bridge..

At noon, the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department will have a memorial service outside the Fire Station at the flagpole. At 1 p.m., a parade will start forming at the Jack Rabbit Lane entrance to Stratham Hill Park under direction of parade marshal Dave Emanuel. It will include the Cooperative Middle School band, color guards, Fire Department, Scout groups, antique vehicles and any others who wish to participate. At 1:30 p.m., the parade will march from Jack Rabbit Lane, east onto Portsmouth Avenue to Stratham Hill Park. At 1:45 p.m., the Memorial Day program will begin at the Veterans Memorial Garden at Stratham Hill Park.

The Wells Memorial Day parade will be held on Monday, May 27, kicking off at 9 a.m. The parade will march from Wells High School, down Sanford Road, to Ocean View Cemetery for a ceremony.  During the ceremony, the town will honor the graves of brothers Elbridge and Leroy Hanson, who were killed in action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France in October 1918. The ceremony will include musical performances by Atlantic Harmonies and the Wells Ogunquit School Jr/Sr High.

York will hold its Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, at 10 a.m. The parade will begin from the staging area at St. Christopher's Church on Route 1A and then proceed southbound to the First Parish Cemetery, where a brief ceremony will take place in the green behind Town Hall. The York High Schoolband, the York Middle School band, and the Piscataqua Junior Rangers Fife & Drum Corps will perform. All local veterans are invited to march at the front of the parade.

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Brat fries, parades and live music — here are 7 Sheboygan-area Memorial Day events to know about

SHEBOYGAN - Communities across Sheboygan County will hold parades, dedications and brat fries this Memorial Day weekend.  

Sheboygan’s celebrations will begin with the Memorial Day parade , starting at Seventh Street and Center Avenue at 9 a.m. May 27.

A ceremony honoring veterans and members in active duty at Fountain Park and a brat fry will follow the parade. All proceeds from the brat fry will benefit the Military and Youth Foundation and Marine Corps League.

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Roberto D. Bobonis, who holds the position as the Sheboygan Coast Guard Station’s executive petty officer, will speak at the ceremony. 

What to know about Memorial Day parade: Everything to know about Sheboygan’s Memorial Day Parade and Celebration

The city’s celebration is made possible through collaboration with veterans and active-duty personnel, the county’s Veterans Service Office, Kohler Credit Union and Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses.

Here are some other Memorial Day activities and events happening in the county.  

13th annual Lao, Hmong and American Veterans memorial will follow Sheboygan parade

Lao and Hmong American veterans will participate in the Memorial Day Parade. A memorial and dedication ceremony will be held at the Deland Park memorial area at 11:30 a.m. It will include posting of the colors, a performance of the national anthem and an invocation. 

A dance will follow next, with an introduction of the guests of honor and opening remarks. Hmong Mutual Assistance Association President Moua Yang and Lao and Hmong American Veterans Memorial Chairman Xia Vue Yang will speak, followed by Mayor Ryan Sorenson and Minnesota State Sen. Foung Hawj .  

The event will also feature a T-28 airplane flyover, another culture show, a pigeons release ceremony by Sheboygan Pigeon Flying Club and wreath presentations. A lunch for SGU veterans and family will also be offered.  

Six panels will be dedicated to Hmong Special Guerrilla veterans and civilian officials who served in the Secret War — Major Wa Cha Richard Kue; First Lt. Vang Lee; Lt. Col. Za Blong Thao; Capt. Chaying Lee; Tasseng Kayang Lor Kiatoukaysy; and Commissioner Lor Ger Kiatoukaysy.  

Peace Park will hold a peace vigil Monday evening

Friends of Peace Park Sheboygan will host a peace vigil from 7 to 7:45 p.m. on Memorial Day. Included will be music, poetry, meditation and prayer focused on peace at the park.

Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. If there is rain, the vigil will move to Jake's, A Lakeland Community at 529 Ontario Ave.

Cascade Lions Club to host dedication and brat fry

A brat fry and dedication ceremony will be held in the Village of Cascade on Memorial Day.  

The Cascade Lions Club will dedicate a new Veterans Memorial that was built at the Lions Hall property, 303 W. Water St. American Legion will host the Memorial Day service and dedication at 1 p.m. Cascade Police Chief Jason Liermann will speak.  

Raffle drawings and a brat fry will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with brats and hamburgers. Drinks, potato salad, pork and beans can be purchased.  

Winery will host band for annual Memorial Day show

The band Bad Boy will perform at SoLu Estate Winery , W8269 County Road F in Cascade on Memorial Day.

The show will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Wine and food will be offered. Attendees should take folding chairs and blankets. Tickets can be bought online for $10 and in person for $12.

Elkhart Lake live music series kicks off

The Tiki Bar, 276 Victorian Village Drive, will kick off its summer live music series Memorial Day weekend.

The Dave Steffen Band plays Friday; Matt & Sadie play Saturday; Bacchus Lotus plays Sunday; and Brent Bel & the Boys play Monday.

The music acts are 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday; and 2 to 6 p.m. Monday.  

The Osthoff Resort will also have live music this weekend. Amelia Ford will play 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dirty Boogie will play 7-10 p.m. Saturday and Burgundy Ties will play 4-7 p.m. Sunday.

Get ready for Brat Days: Bratmeister bobbleheads, live music and more — what to know about 2024 Brat Days

American Legion will host Plymouth's Memorial Day Parade

American Legion Post 243 will host the Memorial Day Parade in Plymouth. It will start 10 a.m., going along Mill Street, from Caroline Street to North Street. It will end at Union Cemetery.

The staging area will be on Main Street, between Stafford and Smith streets. The post said don’t use the St. John Lutheran parking lot.  

Participants still interested in participating in the parade must register with Post 243 by 4 p.m. May 24. Applications can be found at http://www.Wilegionpost243.org or by emailing [email protected] .  

Auxiliary will host brat fry after parade 

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit and Post 243 will host a brat fry from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Memorial Day. It will be at the American Legion Post 243 building, 40 S. Stafford St.  

Brats, burgers, German potato salad, beans and desserts will be available for dine-in or take-out. Raffle baskets will be offered, too.  

Have a story tip? Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or [email protected] . Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner .

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Brat fries, parades and live music — here are 7 Sheboygan-area Memorial Day events to know about

Memorial Day 2024: Ceremonies, parades, events, and closures in Oregon, SW Washington

• Updated: May. 21, 2024, 9:03 a.m. |
• Published: May. 21, 2024, 8:52 a.m.

Memorial Day honors those who have fallen serving our country in the military. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves

• Rosemarie Stein | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Memorial Day offers local and regional events and ceremonies honoring those who have fallen defending the United States in the armed forces.

Here’s a list of Memorial Day services, parades, and community events scheduled for the holiday. Also find a list of services and government offices that adjust their hours and schedules for the national holiday.

Public transportation:

TriMet buses and MAX will run on Sunday schedules on Monday, May 27. WES will have no service.

C-Tran will run on Sunday/Holiday schedules on Monday, May 27.

Portland Aerial Tram is closed.

Government offices:

Federal courts and offices are closed.

Oregon and Washington state offices and courts are closed.

Portland parking meters are free on Monday, May 27, only, except in some city parks. Pay during regular Sunday hours.

Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Clark county offices, city of Portland and Vancouver offices, Metro regional center are closed.

Postal mail (USPS) will not be delivered Monday, May 27, and post offices will be closed.

Banks: closed, some in-store branches may be open

Libraries: Most public libraries are closed. Check with your local branch.

Willamette National Cemetery will host a ceremony on Memorial Day. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves

National cemeteries, including Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Fort Stevens National in Warrenton, and Roseburg National will be open for gravesite memorials, placing of flags or flowers by individuals or groups, and many will have a ceremony to mark the day. To find a more comprehensive list of events near you, visit memorialdayoregon.com .

There are also services at city-managed public cemeteries ( Ashland , Astoria , Oregon City , Pendleton , Redmond ), private cemeteries ( Baker City , Bend , Gresham , Hood River , Medford , Salem ), as well as non-profit sites ( Eugene , Tigard ).

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (Salem)

This state agency hosts an event at the State Capitol grounds honoring all of the nation’s fallen service members and featuring remarks from ODVA Director Nakeia Council Daniels and Oregon Adjutant General Alan Gronewold. There will also be remarks by other veteran leaders and state dignitaries, a color guard ceremony, the national anthem, and other ceremonial elements.

11 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the Oregon World War II Memorial, at Cottage and Court streets in northeast Salem; free; facebook.com/odvavet.

Veterans Memorial Park (Beaverton)

VFW Post 124 in Beaverton hosts a ceremony that includes a performance by St. Andrew’s Society of Oregon Pipes and Drums, a flyover, POW/MIA ceremony, Sons of the American Revolution musket volley, and guest speakers.

11 a.m. Monday, May 27, between Seventh and Ninth streets, and Washington and Watson avenues; free. beavertonpost124.org.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

The Community Military Appreciation Committee presents Vancouver’s Memorial Day Observance at the bandstand on the Vancouver Barracks Parade Ground. The public is invited to honor men and women who have lost their lives in service of our country. Visitors may view the garrison flag raising, Washington Army National Guard Howitzer cannon firing, and a wreath laying ceremony in honor of fallen heroes.

11 a.m. Monday, May 27, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, west of 1501 Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver; free; cmac11.com/event/annual-memorial-day.

Kiwanis Park (Battle Ground, Wash)

The annual ceremony includes the presentation of the flags by cadets from the Battle Ground High School Air Force Junior ROTC program. The ceremony will also feature performances by Battle Ground High School bandmembers playing bagpipes and trumpet.

11 a.m. Monday, May 27, Battle Ground Veterans Memorial at Kiwanis Park, 422 S.W. Second Ave., Battle Ground; www.cityofbg.org/veteransmemorial .

There are plenty of things to see and do on Memorial Day weekend when you attend the Multnomah County Fair at Oaks Park. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves

Other things to do on Memorial Day weekend

Portland Rose Festival

For well over 100 years this city-wide event has been Portland’s calling card – a festival highlighting not only roses, but community pride. All your old favorites are on the schedule in 2024 including CityFair which opens May 24, Starlight Parade June 1, Junior Parade June 5, and the Grand Floral Parade June 8. There will be plenty of other satellite events as well. Take a look at the schedule on the website for details.

CityFair opening weekend hours 5-10 p.m. Friday (with fireworks at dusk), noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday-Monday, May 24-27, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, on Southwest Naito Parkway; admission is discounted online at $12; rosefestival.org/tickets .

Multnomah County Fair

Multnomah may be Oregon’s most populated county, but its annual fair has more of a small-town vibe. The fair takes place over Memorial Day weekend and offers stage entertainment, barn animals, vendors, creative arts and a low-rider car show. One of the bigger draws is the annual wiener dog races held on Monday. Sunday offers a full day of Hispanic dance, music and singing. And as usual, Oaks Park’s many thrill rides and carnival events are open throughout the fair.

Noon-7 p.m. Saturday-Monday, May 25-27, Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; free admission, parking $5; multcofair.com .

- If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to [email protected] at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.

— Rosemarie Stein

503-221-4376, [email protected] ; @trafficportland

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Hedi Slimane Stages a Desert Symphony for Celine’s Winter 2024 Men’s Collection

The dramatic short film arrives amid rumors that Slimane may be departing the luxury house.

No, that is not another trailer for a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival—it’s Hedi Slimane’s latest sartorially cinematic runway presentations. For his Celine Homme winter 2024 collection, the designer directed a dramatic, desert set epic titled, “Symphonie Fantastique.”

The name is borrowed from French composer Hector Berlioz’s 1830 symphony, which Leonard Bernstein once described as “the first psychedelic symphony in history,” more than 100 years before the free-love moment of the ’60s. According to the show’s notes, Berlioz’s work has long been an inspiration for Slimane, who first discovered the “Symphonie Fantastique” when he was just 11 years old, quickly becoming obsessed with the history and intricacies of the work. Berlioz composed the piece in Paris when he was just 26 years old in response to his relationship with the English actress Harriet Smithson. The young composer described the work as an “immense instrumental composition of a new genre,” though the piece’s modernity turned off many critics at the time who reportedly referred to it as “the most inconceivable strangeness that one could ever imagine.”

It is that piece—now almost 200 years old—that plays when a jukebox is dropped from helicopters in the center of a highway at the beginning of the short film. Given Slimane’s taste for the rock and roll aesthetic and surrounding culture, one might assume music from his former collaborators like LCD Soundsystem or The Libertines to emerge, but instead, it’s a symphony, adding to the drama of the setting.

The tune begins subtly—heavy with wind instruments—as a parade of Cadillacs emerges on a road intersecting the snow-capped mountains of the Mojave Desert. As the pace quickens and strings join the fold, models replace the cars, turning the open road into a catwalk. This time, Slimane’s edgy, California-style signatures are merged with Berlioz’s Paris and even a hint of Bernstein’s midcentury style. Lapel-less jackets cut a slim figure while tailored capes float in the wind. Those are contrasted by a double-breasted leather jacket, sturdy and unmoving. Cowboy-adjacent boots move the models forward, while a black fur coat protects one against the elements. Couture designs stand out against the stark background as crystal-encrusted elements shimmer under the sun, and golden paillettes and sequins add some of the only color to the collection. Elsewhere, a cowboy roams off-road in the desert, adding to the many layers of the presentation.

The video ends as the sun is setting, the headlights from the Cadillacs shining the last light on a caped model before the camera turns back to the jukebox to watch it go up in flames. It’s a dramatic ending, one some are reading as a possible farewell. Rumors have been circulating that Slimane may be leaving his role as Celine’s creative director for weeks now after a six-year tenure. If “Symphonie Fantastique” is, in fact, Slimane’s swan song, it would be a fitting one suggesting he’s ready to hit the open road and go wherever the world might take him.