Our Flag Trail Badge

This Trail Badge, awarded on completion of the requirements, is affixed to the Trailman’s Troop Standard.

Do all requirements (1-9).

  1. Describe how and why we respect the American flag.
  2. How is respecting the flag related to “respect authority” in the Trailman Oath?
  3. Basic flag ceremonies:
    • Demonstrate folding the American flag. (See The Trailman’s Handbook)
    • Demonstrate the proper placement of hands (and hats) while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
    • Demonstrate displaying the colors for an outdoor flag ceremony.
    • Demonstrate raising and lowering the American flag for an outdoor flag ceremony.
    • Participate in a flag ceremony for your Troop meeting, award ceremony, or other indoor ceremony.
  4. Know the Flag Code and its history. Diagram the proper way to display the American Flag in the following circumstances.
    • When carried in a procession with another flag or flags
    • When displayed with another flag against a wall with crossed staffs
    • When a number of flags on staffs are displayed with the American Flag
    • When state flags or other pennants are flown from the same halyard with the American flag
    • When flags of two or more nations are displayed
    • When a flag is displayed on a staff projecting horizontally from a windowsill or building
    • When the flag is not on a staff and is displayed flat against a wall horizontally and vertically
    • When used on a speaker’s platform
    • When flown at half-staff
    • When used to cover a casket
  5. Make a diagram of the American flag and flagpole, labeling all its parts. Include and be able to define the hoist, peak, fly, staff, halyard, and union.
  6. Learn the history of the Pledge of Allegiance.
  7. Learn the date, the conflict, the American flag’s design, its physical condition, and the situation that prompted Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner.
  8. Read through the words of the National Anthem written by Francis Scott Key. Explain line by line in your own words what was going on and his views on it.
  9. Do 3 of the following activities:
    • Participate in the color guard for a flag ceremony for a community event.
    • Participate in the color guard for an outdoor flag ceremony.
    • Find a script giving a meaning or symbolism to each of the 13 folds required to properly fold an American Flag and use it in a flag ceremony.
    • Find or write a special flag ceremony and perform it in front of an audience.
    • Teach a Woodlands patrol a flag ceremony and help them perform it at a Troop function.
    • Find or write a respectful American flag retirement ceremony and perform it at a campfire program.
    • Participate in a flag planting service project at a cemetery for their Memorial Day service honoring veterans.
    • Learn the history and usage of the 21 Gun Salute.
    • Research the origins of Flag Day and plan a special event celebrating the day for your Troop or community.