Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-27
THE q. A. n. AND THE FLAG.
Commander-in-Chlef Palmer suggests Som
Ways Of Teaching Loyalty.

Chief Palmer sugEests Som,
Ways Of Teaching Loyalty.
Capt John Palmer. eommander.in-chief q
! A. r., in recent orders says:
The twenty fifth national encampment di
1 recsed the appointment Of q committee to pre-
| pare Q plan for the systematic teaching Of
| loyalty TO our country: this committee hal
| been appointed and will no doubt formulate
! snch plan and bring the same before the Mex
encampment. Meanwhile every comrade of thu
order has It in his power to further this objec,
By his example.
The national flag, when carried by posts
troops or other organized bodies. when hoisted
on the flag staff in camp or garrison or aboard
a vessel, represents the people of this republic
II represents our country and our government
it reminds us that during the rebellion H00. 00(
lives were given up and innumerwtle sacrifices
made that it should continue to wave over US
and when we stand in the presence Of that Gag
it is most proper that oil, young and old, ncn
and women. should salute it with love ind
pride, thanking God that We are permitted tc
live under it, the emblem Of liberty. the hope
of humanity. Let, therefore, overy member Of
the Grand Army of the Republic pay the proper
salute by uncovernG to our glorious flag when
the same is carried past him Oh he is passing it
thus setting the best example to teach loyalty
to the rising generation.
The commander in chief also deems the Gus.
tom Of rising and uncovering, as observed Ia
some localities, when the national hymn, THE
Star Spanglsd Banner" 10 being sung OF
played, worthy of general observation by the
members OF the Grand Army of the Republic.
and is greatly calculated to impress patriotism
on the hearts Of all. .di
Wherever post is in session it is eminenGy
proper that the national color ut least ehoultl
prominently be displayed in the post room,
and that it should be placed in position in an
Sv,,,, Liryev olr
by some posts, aud while the commander-in-
chief does not order it to be done he believes il
will be for the best interests of the posts prop
erly to escort, receive and salute the flag OF
our country before proceeding to business.
1t is not desirable that the ceremony should be
long and tedious, yet it should not be hurried,
but executed with the dignity becoming the
occasion The following. adopted from the
United states tactics, is suggested as appropri.
ate, but posts need not follow it exactly, still
| the general outline should be retained.
When the post Is about to open, the officer OF
the day will place the coors in the ante-room.
When the commander has declared the post
open, he will direct the adjutant to make a
detail to escort the color. This detail will con-
sist of a color bearer and three comrades, who,
as their names arc called will form in one
rank, facing the commander, having the altar
between them and the for mer, the color bearer
being the second from the right; the detail
having been made and formed, the adjutant
reports the fact to the commander, who directs
the officer of the day TO escort the color. The
officer of the day takes charge Of the escort.
marches 1t to the ante-room, hands the color to
the bearer, who steps forward to receive it; the
latter then faces about, the officer of the day
brings the escort to present, followed by carry
arms; he then marches it in an orderly man.
ner to the post room, conducting his march SO
that the escort will be brought to halt in front
Of tho commanders chair and. facing the altar,
when the color bearer will step upon the COM
mander's platform and face toward the com.
rades When the officer Of the day marches
the escort off to receive the color the com.
mander calls the post to attention Cthree raps)
and the comrades as far as practicable will then
take position in the space between the senior
vice commander and the altar, facing toward
the commanders position; the comrades being
in'order the commander will take position be.
tween them and the altar, opposite And facing
toward his ordinary position. The officer OF
the guard, the escort being ready to enter and
the post in order, calls out Turn out the post
for the color" The color and escort being in
position the commander faces about. gives the
command salute, which will be executed by
the comrades and the escorts he then face,
about and also salutes, whereupOn the color
bearer returns the salute with the color. This
having been done the commander gives the
command break ranks march, when all the
comrades drop their hands and take their seats
except the color bearer. who places the color
In proper position to the right and front OF the
commanders desk, or dropping over the bach
Of his chair or over the altar. II the escort be
armed the officer Of the day will bring it to
carry arms. arms port and break ranks.
1t is desirable that only the national color
should be used, but if post desire to use also
the post color, two color bearers will be needed
the post color will be on the left of the national
color, and the escort will consist Of but two
comrades; if 1t be desired to have the escort
larger, i. Q. in double ranks, seven or six com.
rades will be needed accordingly as there will
be one or two colors.