Suggestive programs for special day exercises/Lincoln Day/Flag salute
FLAG SALUTE.
[Adopted by the National Societies G. A. R and W. R. C.]
SALUTE.—We Give Our Heads and Our Hearts to God and Our Country. One Country, One Language, One Flag.
Signals:—
The pupils having been assembled and being seated, and the flag borne by the standard bearer being in front of school, at the signal (either by a chord struck on the piano or, in the absence of a piano, from a bell) each scholar seizes the seat preparatory to rising.
Second Signal.—The whole school rises quickly, as one person, each one standing erect and alert.
Third Signal.—The right arm is extended, pointing directly at the flag; as the flag-bearer should be on the platform where all can see the colors, the extended arm will be slightly raised above a horizontal line.
Fourth Signal.—The forearm is bent so as to touch the forehead lightly with the tip of the fingers of the right hand. The motion should be quick, but graceful, the. elbow being kept down and not allowed to “stick out” to the right. As the fingers touch the forehead, each pupil will exclaim in a clear voice, We give our ' heads ' (emphasizing the word ' heads ').
Fifth Signal.—The right hand is carried quickly to the left side and placed flat over the heart with the words, ”and our hearts!“ (after the movement has been made).
Sixth Signal.—The right hand is allowed to fall quickly, but easily to the right side; as soon as the motion is accomplished, all will say, “{{sc|to God and our Country!”
Seventh Signal.—Each scholar still standing erect, but without moving, will exclaim, “One country!” (emphasis on country).
Eighth Signal.—The scholars still standing motionless, will exclaim: “One language!” (emphasis on language).
Ninth Signal.—The right arm is suddenly extended to its full length, the hand pointing to the flag, the body inclining slightly forward, supported by the right foot slightly advanced. The attitude should be that of intense earnestness. The pupil reaches, as it were, toward the flag, at the same time exclaiming with great force—“One flag!”
Tenth Signal.—The right arm is dropped to the side and the position of attention recovered.
Eleventh Signal.—Each scholar seizes the seat preparatory to turning it down.
Twelfth Signal.—The school is seated.
Flag-bearer.—The color-bearer grasps the staff at the lower end with his right hand and a foot or more (according to the length of the staff) above the end of the staff with his left hand. The staff is held directly in front of the middle of the body, slightly inclined forward from the perpendicular. At the fourth signal, the flag will be dipped, returning the salute; this is done by lowering the left hand until the staff is nearly horizontal, keeping it in that position until the tenth signal, when it will be restored to its first or nearly vertical position.