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Blundering to Music?

Darin Ninness

You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org.
Dr. Drill,

Our church is have a color guard for a special July 4th celebration and we have a question. We have search the web for an answer, but to no avail. When a color guard enters, may they enter with music or is that a major blunder?

The individuals in the color guard have all searched for help but to no avail. Everything else about color guard protocol has been taken care of.

Your help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Elizabeth L. Sherrod, AHFI
Sr. Special Agent
Investigations
Office of Inspector General
U.S. - Tennessee Valley Authority

Dr. Drill responds


Elizabeth,

A blunder to have the color guard enter to music? No way, Jose! Err... Elizabeth! In fact, that's the preferred way for a lot of events, such as presenting colors during military balls and such. But, before you go having the color guard bouncing in doing the Foxtrot, it's probably best to consider what they'll be doing when they get there.

If the color guard enters to music, and then posts the colors (puts the flags into stands on a stage or somewhere else in the front of the room), it might be difficult to know when to render courtesies and when to stop. If the color guard will just be carrying the flags into the room (with or without music), and then exit while carrying the flags, that's another story.

If the color guard plans to post the colors, I would recommend the following:

  • Folks in the room are asked to stand as the colors are presented.
  • Color guard enters the room without music (or with music other than The Star Spangled Banner).
  • Flags are placed into the flag stands at the front of the room.
  • The Star Spangled Banner is played.
  • The color guard leaves the room.
  • Folks are asked to take their seats.

If the color guard does not plan to post the colors, you could do the following:

  • Everyone stands while the color guard enters, and maneuvers to the front of the room.
  • The color guard stands holding the flags while The Star Spangled Banner is played.
  • The color guard exits carrying the flags.
  • Everyone may sit down

If you do plan to play music while the color guard enters, you could play a patriotic march, or even just a drum beat. But I would recommend against playing The Star Spangled Banner while the color guard is moving. Proper courtesy during The Star Spangled Banner is to face the flag and salute (place your hand over your heart if in civilian clothing). Military members, if indoors and not under arms, would simply stand at attention during the playing of The Star Spangled Banner, but civilians will still place their right hands over their hearts. If the flags are moving, then staying facing the flag is difficult. The flags should be either posted, or standing still when The Star Spangled Banner is played.

I hope this answers your question. Enjoy the celebration of our nation's independence!!

Dr. Drill

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