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Scouts Salute America Day
This brief ceremony was presented in front of 400+ 3rd-5th grade students. With the support and blessing of the school principal, the teachers led their students out to stand around the flag pole after attendance was taken. Our uniformed Scouts stood at attention during this presentation, and then the Webelos raised the flag at the appointed time, and then the whole school joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Wow! I had goosebumps! I received a lot of compliments from the teachers and parents (it was Election Day, and the school is one of the voting locations). We helped to point out that freedom is not free. And although we are individually different, we stand together as one nation, under God. It was very moving, and received a strong round of applause.
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The Ceremony:
Scouts Salute America Day
Scripted by Bruce Bille, Cubmaster
Cub Scout Pack 122
Warren, OH
Scouts Salute America Day - November 6, 2001
Good morning. We thank you for joining the members of Cub Scout Pack 122 in a special tribute to America, the greatest country on the planet.
What makes America so great? There are a few simple words with boundless influences. The first is Freedom. It is the cornerstone of American values. The concept of an individual's having control over his/her own destiny influenced the type of government that was established here. Individual rights are guaranteed in the United States Constitution and amendments including the freedoms of speech, religion, the right to assemble, to keep and bear arms, and the right to a speedy trial.
Next would be Democracy, one of the most fundamental of American values. It was the reason for revolution, and comprises the heart of our political culture, where the common people are considered as the primary source of political power.
Then comes Equality. We believe in the ideal, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, that "all men are created equal."
Another would be Diversity. America's population reflects remarkable ethnic diversity. More than 20 percent of the populations of Los Angeles and New York were born in another country. As such, America has been enriched by the values and beliefs of people and cultures from virtually every part of the world. Our population includes people of various faiths and religions, varying degrees of education and wealth, and of different political persuasions. But we are all Americans. And anyone, at least in principle, can become an American. And in fact, anyone does. People come here from everywhere with a yearning to breathe free, and soon enough they are as American as anyone whose family came over on the Mayflower.
Opportunity. Early successes by pioneers gave an optimism about the future, a belief that problems could be solved. This positive spirit enables us to take risks in areas where others might only dream, and has resulted in tremendous advances in technology, health and science. Our economic greatness comes from capitalism, the economic extension of individual freedom to try, to fail, or to succeed on one's own merits or the merits of one's thinking, with as little intervention from government as possible.
Unity. Although we are all very different, we are together as one; a nation of people, tolerant and accepting of our individual differences, joining together to become one nation, under God.
It is appropriate, in this month of Thanksgiving and recognition and remembrance of service veterans, that the Boy Scouting and Cub Scouting programs mark this day with a salute to America, to the rights and freedoms which have been established, defended, and preserved. We salute the civil and defense servicemen and servicewomen who support the values and freedoms of life in America.
We salute the flag, the symbol of our great country, as we raise her proudly.
Scout Salute
Recite poem below, excerpts from "Face the Flag", during the raising of the flag.
Face the flag of stars and bars
Of red and white and blue.
A flag that guarantees the rights
For a people like me and you.
Face the flag friends, read what's written there;
The history, the progress, and the heritage we share.
Our flag reflects the past, but stands for so much more,
And in this age of Aquarius, it still flies in the fore.
It leads the forward movement, shared by all mankind;
To learn, to love, to live with peace of mind,
To learn the mysteries of space as well as those of Earth,
To love each person for what they are regardless of their birth,
To live without the fear of reprisal for belief,
To ease the tensions of a world that cries out for relief.
Face the flag of stars and bars
Of red and white and blue.
Scouts, two
We Americans experience the greatest freedoms, rights and privileges of any country on earth. As citizens of this great republic, we need to not only embrace our rights and freedoms but also our social, moral and public responsibilities. Participate in your government. Let your voice be heard today by exercising your right to vote. And thank daily those that have sacrificed to provide you freedoms, independence, and spirit.
America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Please join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
Thank you for coming and sharing our salute to America.
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