Section 1 a “Blueprint” for the 21st Century Purpose

General Instructions

1. The ceremonial services of The American Legion must be conducted with the solemnity befitting the dignity of this organization.

2. No one shall be admitted during opening, initiation, or closing ceremonies of an American Legion meeting.

3. Comrades shall be careful never to pass between the Flags and the station of the Commander.

4. A member entering the hall after the meeting has begun shall advance to the center of the room, salute the Colors and be seated.

5. Any member desiring to be excused from the hall while the meeting is in progress, except during a prayer, or the obligation, or during the period of silence, shall advance to the center of the room, salute the Colors, and then leave.

6. All officers are instructed to memorize their parts between the dates of their election and installation. It shall be the duty of each officer to memorize that portion of the Ritual assigned to that particular office and the printed Ritual should not be read during any ceremony.

7. The National Colors and Post Flag, when in position, should be in position at either side and just in advance of the Commander’s station; the National Colors on the right of the Commander, the Post Colors on the left when facing the audience, even though the Commander is on a platform and the Flags are Posted on the ground level.

8. Each officer shall be equipped with the official overseas cap and with proper official badge of the respective office. Such badges may be purchased in sets by the Post or singly by the individual officer through Emblem Sales, National Headquarters.

9. Legionnaires standing in silent tribute in memory of departed comrades during meetings or ceremonies will face the Flag of our country. Legionnaires are advised of the following action by the National Executive Committee (Resolution No. 33): ‘RESOLVED’ by the National Executive Committee of The American Legion in regular meeting assembled in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 5-6, 1971, “That The American Legion shall, at functions within Legion buildings and at all levels, cease all activities whatsoever for a period of sixty seconds as a tribute to our comrades who have passed on and in honor of those now serving in the Armed Forces and that this minute of silence shall be preceded by an appropriate announcement and message, if desired.”

10. In addressing an officer of The American Legion, preface the title with the word “Comrade.”

11. This Manual of Ceremonies is designed with the idea of flexibility and may be adapted to conform to requirements covering all divisions of The American Legion. Therefore, whenever necessary, the words “Post,” “County,” “District,” “Division,” “Department,” or “National” may be inserted to fit a specific occasion.

Wearing The American Legion Cap, Uniform and Regalia

A Legionnaire is considered to be in uniform if wearing an official American Legion cap. Therefore, it is not proper to wear an American Legion cap while eating a meal at an official Legion or civic luncheon or dinner.

2. The cap should be worn in a place of worship only by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard and Commander of same while in marching order or standing guard. When returned to and seated in pews, the cap should be removed.

3. Legion Posts marching in formation into a place of worship should uncover, at the door, hold the cap with the right hand over the heart (*) until the arrival in the pews and commanded to take seats, remaining uncovered during the entire service. At the close of the service, upon command, the Post shall arise, the members holding the cap with the right hand over the heart (*) will march out of the place of worship and recover after marching through the door.

Note: The hat should be held over the heart as one approaches the casket, and is not at any time worn in a place of worship except by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard or Commander of same while in marching order or standing guard.

4. Legionnaires not in formation will uncover upon entering the place of worship and remain uncovered during the entire service and will re-cover after leaving the place of worship.

5. At the graveside the cap should be held in the right hand over the heart (*) during the entire service. In cold and inclement weather, the cap should not be doffed.

6. In Legion meetings the cap should be worn except during moments of the “Pledge of Allegiance,” prayer, and when standing in silent reverence in memory of departed comrades, when the cap should be held with the right hand over the heart (*). [*See “Saluting” in index]

7. A Legionnaire wearing the cap should behave in proper accordance as to salutes, etc., the same as if the member was wearing the military uniform. If not wearing the Legion cap, the ordinary rules of etiquette for civilian dress should be observed.

8. Female members of The American Legion should wear their caps in the manner prescribed for female personnel of the armed services. [See National Adjutant’s Message(s) on page 3-2]

9. Legionnaires wishing to attach decorations and/or other official insignia to their caps are advised of the following excerpts of a National Executive Committee Resolution on this subject:
Official American Legion Caps

The following regulations have been promulgated by National Emblem Sales to standardize the use of lettering, insignia, etc., on the official American Legion cap, as based on Resolution No. 58, adopted by the National Executive Committee, April 30-May 1, 1964.

3. 
   Style 2—Shall not be used when the Post town is not physically located within the recognized geographic and/or Postal boundaries of the Department of which the Post is a member. Example: Stuttgart, Germany, a part of the Department of France. Such a Post may place its location and country on the right side of the cap, if desired. Example: “8” (at right front)— “France” (on left side beneath emblem)—if desired, “Munich, Germany” (on right side).
   

Campaign ribbons, medals, and official American Legion Badges shall be worn three inches below the point of the shoulder and above the left breast pocket, centered; provided, however, that medals and ribbons are not to be worn together.

Badges of other fraternal organizations are not to be worn on uniforms except when attending functions of such organizations. No other badges or insignia are to be worn.

Commander: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the word “Commander.”

Past Commander: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the words “Past Commander.”

First and Second Vice-Commanders: The American Legion Emblem suspended from a bar on which there shall be the words “Vice-Commander.”

Chaplain: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the word “Chaplain.”

Adjutant: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the word “Adjutant.”

Finance Officer: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the words “Finance Officer.”

Sergeant-At-Arms: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the words “Sergeant-At-Arms.”

Judge Advocate: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the words “Judge Advocate.”

Service Officer: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the words “Service Officer.”

Treasurer or Finance Officer: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the word “Treasurer.”

Athletic Officer: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the words “Athletic Officer.”

Historian: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the word “Historian.”

Executive Committee: The American Legion Emblem suspended by The American Legion ribbon from a bar on which there shall be the words “Executive Committee.”

The metal ornaments for the ribbons should be made with pin back so they can be passed from officer to officer at the time of the new installation.

Each member of each individual Post should be encouraged to possess the Official American Legion Overseas Cap with The American Legion Emblem, the Department, and the number of the Post on same.
How to Organize a Ritual Team

First Step:

The Post Commander appoints a Captain to organize a team. It will be the Captain’s duty to recruit, train and assume complete responsibility for organizing and training of the team. Discretion should be used in selecting team members. They should make the Manual of Ceremonies their American Legion bible.

Permanent parts should be assigned and members instructed to memorize these parts. Six members will be required for the initiation team. In calling a try-out or audition meeting, the best qualified should be selected at that time. Each candidate for the team should read part of the Manual to denote clarity of voice, enunciation, expression and meaning given to the text. Additional candidates should be assigned roles as substitutes or stand-ins for the regular members.

Training the team. Many practice sessions are necessary. Teams should practice entire ceremony at each meeting, including marching into the hall, military movements on the floor, presentation and introduction of the team, and the Posting of members to their respective stations. Proper handling of candidates for initiation should also be practiced.

Presenting the ceremony. The team’s first appearance should be on home grounds. Actual initiation of new members will tend to give the new team confidence to present their work in other Posts throughout the area. Note well:—Much of the team’s success depends upon selection of competent Captain and Sergeant-at-Arms. The team will look to these officers for leadership. The team Captain and members should be of commanding appearance, plus personality, and able to impress upon candidates and audience the importance and seriousness of the ceremony.

Every American Legion Post should have a good ritual team present at “Initiation Night” program at least once yearly.
Color Guard Procedure

Advancing Colors:

Color Guard consisting of minimum number of four is formed at rear of meeting room in a rank or file, whichever may suit the situation best, formation facing Commander’s station.

In forming a rank, the National Color is to the right of the Post Color and the two Guards are on the respective flanks. In forming a file, the National Color is second in file, preceded by Rifle Guard and followed respectively by Post Color and Rifle Guard.

To properly form the Guard, the following sequence of Commands may be used: “Fall In” — “Dress Right Dress” — “Ready Front” — “Right or Left Shoulder Arms” — (Color bearers should assume the position of carry or any other suitable position at this command) “Forward March.” The above mentioned commands put the Guard in a forward motion.

Upon arriving at a position from 2 to 12 feet (depending on available space) in front of the

Commander’s station, the following commands should be used: “Guard Halt—Post Colors” (The

National Color bearer steps off in the direction of the Flag receptacle to the right of the Commander’s station, halting and facing front upon arriving in front of same). The Post Color bearer follows the same procedure to the Flag receptacle to the left of the Commander’s station. During this procedure it is suggested the Rifle Guards assume the position of Port Arms, which is a position of readiness. The next command should be “Place Colors.” Colors may be placed by stepping forward with one foot and placing

Colors in receptacles, making sure the top ornament on each respective color is facing the assemblage. The Color bearers then return to the position of attention. The next command should then be “Present Arms.” Rifle Guards should render the prescribed salute with their pieces and Color bearers should render a right-hand salute. (Post Color bearer should either face the National Color or turn head toward the American Flag while executing the salute).

The next command sequence should be “Right Shoulder Arms” (Color bearers recovering from hand salute on same), “Assemble March” (Color bearers may face the center and step off respectively in the direction from which they came and assume their positions in the formation facing the rear of the meeting room. Rifle Guards may execute an about-face on command and be prepared to move out on next command with Guard intact.

The next command should be “Forward March” and upon arriving at starting point, Guard should be halted with command of “Guard Halt” and then the Guard may be given “Fall Out.”

Retrieving the Colors may be executed in nearly the same manner except substituting the command of “Retrieve Colors” for “Post Colors,” and giving the command “Present Arms” upon the Color bearers’ arrival in front of their respective colors (Color bearers will salute at this time).

The next sequence of commands are “Right Shoulder Arms” (Color bearers will assume position of attention) “Take Colors” (Color bearers putting one foot forward to take Colors and assuming position of attention, after securing same). The next commands should be “Assemble, March” (Color bearers executing same marching as in returning from Posting). Rifle Guards will execute about-face after Colors have arrived in respective positions. The Guard may be retired in the same manner as it was in Posting, with the exception of the last command, which should be “Dismissed.” The above commands may be used in either Rank or File formation.

A lot of Color and Ceremony may be added to the Posting and Retiring of the Colors if a Bugler is used in the following places: In Posting, “To The Colors,” may be sounded immediately after the command of “Present Arms” by the Color Guard Commander. In retrieving, “Retreat,” may be sounded immediately after command of “Present Arms.”

American Legion meetings shall be opened in the following manner:

All officers should be in uniform, each wearing the official American Legion cap and the official badge of office.

The Commander shall announce the meeting is about to open. Officers shall take their stations.

(See the index for other sections relating to the Colors/Color Guard)

“Two.”

In place of the following prayer, the Chaplain may deliver one of the same length and general tenor.

“We pray for those who serve the people and guard the public welfare that by Thy blessing they may be enabled to discharge their duties honestly and well. We pray for our comrades that by Thy help they may observe the strictest Justice, keep alight the fires of Freedom, strive earnestly for the spirit of Democracy; and preserve untarnished our loyalty to our Country and to Thee. Finally, O God of mercy, we ask Thy blessing and comfort for those comrades who are suffering mental and physical disability. Cheer them and bring them the blessings of health and happiness. Amen.”

This ceremony is a suggested outline that can be followed when an American Legion organization wants to call attention to Americans still unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts.

Resolution 288, adopted at the 67th National Convention, encourages all American Legion organizations to implement the Empty Chair Program at all meetings. As a continual physical symbol of the POW/MIAs and the cause for which we stand, namely their return or full accounting. Note: On pages 3-12 and 3-13, there is also listed for information purposes an alternative POW/MIA Remembrance Service that can be used at other functions in conjunction with the Empty Chair ceremony.

Commander: “Resolution 288, adopted at the 67th National Convention, calls for designating a POW/MIA Empty Chair at all official meetings of The American Legion as a physical symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for from all wars and conflicts involving the United States of America. Accordingly, at this time the Vice Commanders will place the POW/MIA flag on the Empty Chair—a reminder for all of us to spare no effort to secure the release of any American prisoners from captivity, the repatriation of the remains of those who died bravely in defense of liberty, and a full accounting of those missing. Let us rededicate ourselves for this vital endeavor!”

Commander: “Place the POW/MIA flag on the Empty Chair.”

(The First and Second Vice Commanders, or other designated individuals, approach the Empty Chair carrying a folded POW/MIA flag. Upon reaching the Empty Chair, they reverently unfold the flag and drape it over the Empty Chair with the crest facing the membership.) (After the meeting is concluded, the POW/MIA flag can be refolded and stored for future use or left out 24/7 as a constant reminder.)

The Commander (or appropriate official) will lead the Pledge of Allegiance (Legionnaires will remove their caps) and may direct the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

The Commander and membership shall recite the preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion slowly and in unison, as follows:

“For God and Country,

We associate ourselves together

For the following purposes:

To uphold and defend

The Constitution of the United States of America;

To maintain law and order;

To foster and perpetuate

A one hundred percent Americanism;

To preserve the memories and incidents

Of our associations in the Great Wars;

To inculcate a sense of individual obligation

To the community, state and nation;

To combat the autocracy

Of both the classes and the masses;

To make right the master of might;

To promote peace and good will on earth;

To safeguard and transmit to Posterity

The principles of Justice, Freedom and Democracy;

To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship

By our devotion to mutual helpfulness.”

The order of business for Post meetings shall be:

a. Roll Call to determine if quorum is present.

b. Reading of minutes of previous meeting.

c. Introduction of guests and prospective and new members.

d. Committee reports.

e. Balloting on applications.

f. Sick call, relief and employment.

g. Post Service Officer’s report.

h. Unfinished business.

i. Initiation of candidates.

j. New business (and correspondence).

k. Memorial to a departed Post member

l. The good of The American Legion.