United Spanish War Veterans
Initiation Ritual

 
1928

Opening Ceremonies
 
Promptly at the appointed hour, the Officer of the Day will see that the Camp is securely guarded and properly equipped for the meeting, that the officers or substitutes are at their stations and that the Color Sergeants with their respective colors are in the anteroom.
The officers may march into the Camp hall and assume their stations in accordance with a ceremony devised by the Camp.
The Commander will give *, at which the Camp will come to order.
Commander: Officer of the Guard, advance the colors!
The Officer of the Guard will salute the Commander and direct the Senior Color Sergeant to advance the colors. As the colors enter the hall, the Commander will give ***. The Senior Color Sergeant will conduct the colors, giving the necessary commands for changes of direction, past the station of the Junior Vice-Commander to a point three paces in front of the station of the Adjutant, where he will command, in a low voice "Column Right, MARCH!" repeating the command when the colors are one pace from the station of the Commander, and commanding: "Colors, HALT!" as soon as the last change of direction is completed. (This will place the colors facing the altar.)
The Commander will command: Camp, SALUTE!
If the "Star Spangled Banner" is played, or "To the Color" is blown the members will promptly raise their right hands in the prescribed salute at the first note in either case and drop the hands when the last note .has been sounded.) The Camp Color only will salute when the hands are brought up and the carry will be resumed as the hands are dropped. After the Camp has given the salute to the colors, the Senior Color Sergeant will face to the right and the Junior Color Sergeant to the left (without further orders), place the colors in the respective sockets provided for them and proceed to their stations.
The Commander will give *.
Commander: This is a stated (special) meeting of … Camp, No. ..., Department of United Spanish War Veterans.
Officer of the Day, you will take up the countersign.
The Officer of the Day will salute, proceed to the station of the Commander and receive from him the countersign. He will then act in pursuance with his instructions, and as he passes around the hall each active member will rise and give him the countersign and the grip. (If necessary, he will direct the Officer of the Guard to assist him, in which case the Officer of the Guard will proceed to the station of the Commander, and the Officer of the Day and the Officer of the Guard will together receive the countersign from the Commander. If the Officer of the Guard does not assist, the Officer of the Day will give him the countersign, and he will at once communicate it to the sentinel at the outer door.)
Should the examining officer find any officer or comrade unable to give him the countersign, he will direct him to report to the Commander. If he is an active member of the Camp in good standing, the Commander will give him the countersign; if he is a visiting officer or comrade and is unvouched for by an active member in good standing, the Commander will require him to show his visiting card and to submit to the prescribed tests of membership.
The examination being concluded and the hall cleared of all persons not entitled to remain, the Officer of the Day will proceed to the altar (in case the Officer of the Guard has assisted, he will salute and report to the Officer of the Day in front of the station of the Senior Vice-Commander upon the completion of the duty and, after communicating the countersign to the sentinel at the outer door, will resume his station), and will salute the Commander and report to him.
Officer of the Day: Sir, I have performed the duty as directed.
In case any visitors not entitled to ceremonial honors are present, the Officer of the Day will announce: Comrade and Comrade … (stating names, rank and Camp), are present with us.
If visitors entitled to ceremonial honors are present at the opening, they will not be announced until ceremonially received.
Commander: Take your post, Sir.
The Officer of the Day will salute and resume his station.
Commander: Comrades, we are assembled once more for the transaction of such business as may properly come before this Camp, and may all our hearts unite as one in sustaining die treat objects of our association. Let us re-affirm the objects of the United Spanish War Veterans.
Senior Vice-Commander—
Senior Vice-Commander, rising and saluting: To perpetuate the memories and the comradeship of the War with Spain, the Insurrection in the Philippines and the China Relief Expedition.
Commander: Junior Vice-Commander—
Junior Vice-Commander, rising and saluting: To uphold the flag of our country and all for which it stands.
Commander: Chaplain—
Chaplain, rising and saluting: To give sympathy and aid to comrades living, to care for those left under our protection, and to honor the memory of our dead.
After responding, each officer will remain standing.
The Commander will give *** and command: The Chaplain will invoke the Divine Blessing.
Parade, REST!
The Chaplain will proceed to the altar.
Chaplain: Almighty Father, humbly we bow before Thee, our Creator, Preserver, Guide and Protector. We thank Thee for our lives, for Thy mercy which has kept us until this hour, for Thy guidance on land and sea by day and by night, for Thy constant care in hours of danger, and for the preservation of our national honor and integrity.
Be graciously near to our comrades in sickness or distress and to the dependents of those who served with us in the cause of liberty and have entered into eternal rest; in all their sorrows comfort them, and give us willing hearts and ready hands to supply their needs. Bless our country; grant that the memory of our noble dead, who freely offered their lives in its service, may dwell ever in our hearts. Bless our organization; make it an instrument of great good. Keep our names on the roll of Thy servants, and at last receive us into that great army above, where Thou, O God, art the Supreme Commander. Amen.
All respond: Amen.
The Commander will command: Camp, ATTENTION!
The Chaplain will open the Bible and return to his station.
Commander: … Camp, No. … Department of … United Spanish War Veterans, is now open for the transaction of business. *.
 
 
Muster In of Recruits
 
The "General and Special Instructions" will be carefully observed. The salutes prescribed will be returned.
Proper variations shall be made in the text when one recruit only shall be mustered in.
Commander: Adjutant, you will announce the names of the recruits.
The Adjutant will rise and salute and will read from the applications for membership on file the names (and records of service if desired) of any recruits who have been elected to membership in the Camp within the prescribed limit of time.
Officer of the Guard, salutes: Sir, men claiming to be recruits are detained at the outpost.
Commander: Officer of the Day, you will ascertain if these men are recruits and ready to be mustered in.
The Officer of the Day will rise and salute and will obtain from the Adjutant the applications for membership.
At this point, the Sergeant Major and the Quartermaster Sergeant, if the Guidon Bearers of the Camp, will advance from their stations and seat themselves, the former on the right and the latter on the left of the Senior Vice-Commander. After saluting the Commander at the altar, he will then proceed to the outpost, call the roll of recruits and satisfy himself as to the identity of any persons who answer to the names as they are called. If any recruits are present for muster, he will return to the hall, proceed to the altar, salute the Commander and report to him.
Officer of the Day: Sir, I have the honor to report that recruits … state names are at the outpost and are ready to be mustered in.
Commander: Quartermaster, have the required fees been paid by these recruits?
Quartermaster, rising and saluting: They have, Sir.
Commander: Officer of the Day, you will proceed with the muster-in.
The Officer of the Day will command: Guides! at which the Sergeant Major and Quartermaster Sergeant, or those selected as Guidon Bearers or guides, will advance from their stations, secure the Camp guidons and proceed to the altar, where they will take position, the senior on the right and the junior on the left of the Officer of the Day. The Officer of the Day will salute the Commander and then conduct the guides, by the flank, to the outpost. The Officer of the Day will form the recruits and guides in a column of files, the senior guide at the front and the junior guide al the rear, and conduct it into the hall, taking position one pace to the right of the leading guide. As the column enters the hall, the Commander will give **, which in this case will call up only the Senior and Junior Vice-Commanders and the Chaplain.
In the marches between stations, precise changes of direction to the right will be made and in no case will the column be conducted diagonally across the hall.
Absolute silence will be maintained throughout the ceremony. The Officer of the Guard will be on the alert to note and quiet the slightest disturbance.
The Camp hall may be darkened during the march between stations and until the recruits reach the altar.
Upon the arrival of the recruits, each station may be illuminated to show an allegorical representation of each of the principles of the organization. For example, at the station of the Junior Vice-Commander, the principle of Freedom may be illustrated by a picture of the Goddess of Liberty; at the station of the Senior Vice-Commander, the principle of Patriotism may be illustrated by a picture of our flag; at the station of the Chaplain, the principle of Humanity may be illustrated by a tableau showing the care that a wounded soldier receives on the field of battle. The stations, particularly the station of the Chaplain, may be enclosed by a tent-like structure.
A recruit suffering from physical disability may be conducted into the Camp and to the various stations and finally to the altar in the following manner:- The Officer of the Day mill escort the recruit on his left arm to the station of the Junior Vice-Commander and, upon receiving the challenge, will change direction to the left with his recruit and immediately halt, facing the Junior Vice-Commander. After the dialogue has been concluded, the Officer of the Day, by direction of the Junior Vice-Commander, will escort the recruit to the station of the Senior Vice-Commander, thence to the station of the Chaplain and to the altar, the procedure in other respects being the sonic as that prescribed in the regular form. In making his report to the various officers, the Officer of the Day will move one pace to the right, and, during the address of each officer to the recruit, the Officer of the Day will occupy a position one pace to the rear. The Officer of the Day will escort the new comrade in the same manner during the remainder of the ceremony.
Upon entering the hall, the column will he conducted under the command of the Officer of the Day by the shortest route to the station of the Junior Vice-Commander, the Officer of the Day giving the proper commands for all changes of direction. When the head of the column reaches the Junior Vice-Commander, the Officer of the Day will halt and execute "left face," and the Junior Vice-Commander will at the same time give the command: HALT! and challenge: Who comes here?
The Officer of the Day will quickly command: Recruits, HALT! Left, FACE! Salutes the Junior Vice-Commander and reply:
Officer of the Day: Recruits, who have faithfully served their country in its struggle to right the wrongs of an oppressed people and who now seek to unite with us, their late comrades in arms, in preserving the memory of those days and upholding the principles of our organization.
Junior Vice-Commander: Recruits, your desire is a worthy one. Our organization is founded on the ennobling principles of Freedom, Patriotism and Humanity. Freedom is the priceless heritage of our ancestors, bequeathed to us in the great struggle for the independence of our Republic. You and we have also served our country in a struggle for Freedom, thus forging another link in that chain which binds us as a people so firmly together.
Officer of the Day, you will now conduct the recruits to the Senior Vice-Commander.
The Officer of the Day will salute, give the command: Right, FACE! and resume his position one pace to the right of the leading guide. He will then command: Forward, MARCH! and conduct the column around the hail, past the stations of the Commander and Chaplain, giving the proper commands for changes of direction, to the station of the Senior Vice-Commander.
When the head of the column reaches the Senior Vice-Commander, he will halt and execute "left face." When the center of the column is opposite the Senior Vice-Commander, he will command: Recruits, HALT! Left, FACE!, saluting the Senior Vice-Commander and say:
Officer of the Day: Sir, by direction of the Junior Vice-Commander, I present to you these recruits for- further preparation.
Senior Vice-Commander: Recruits, the second principle of our organization is Patriotism, that supreme love of country and desire to follow, protect and uphold its flag which compels us to forsake all ties of home and business in order that we may give our lives, if necessary, in its defense. Each link in that chain which binds us together is forged in the fire of Patriotism and welded by a common service to our country. We pledge to you our comradeship and assistance and expect from you the same pledge in return. As a link in our endless chain of Fraternity and Patriotism you must be as strong as steel, and comrades loyal and true in all your dealings.
Officer of the Day, you will now conduct the recruits to the Chaplain.
The Officer of the Day will salute, give the command: Right, FACE! and resume his position one pace to the right of the leading guide. He will then command: Forward, MARCH! and conduct the column around the hall, past the stations of the Junior Vice-Commander and Commander, giving the proper commands for changes of direction, to the station of the Chaplain. When the head of the column reaches the Chaplain, he will halt and execute "left face."
When the center of the column is opposite the Chaplain, he will command: Recruits, HALT! Left, FACE! Saluting the Chaplain and say:
Officer of the Day: Sir, by direction of the Senior Vice-Commander, I present to you these recruits for further preparation.
Chaplain: Recruits, the third principle of our organization is Humanity. The blessings of freedom and true love of our country can only come to us through unselfish love for our fellowman.
Humanity stretches forth tender and generous hands to soften and beautify the rough places in life. Our hearts and hands must ever be ready to help our comrades and brothers. Listen to this message from the Word of God: ‘Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth: beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth. And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.’
Officer of the Day, these recruits being now prepared, you will conduct them to the altar and present them to the Commander of the Camp.
The Officer of the Day will salute, give the command: Right, FACE! and will resume his position one pace to the right of the leading guide. He will then command: Forward, MARCH! and conduct the column past the station of the Senior Vice-Commander to a point two paces from the station of the Junior Vice-Commander, giving the proper commands for changes of direction, where he will command: Column Right, MARCH! When the head of the column is opposite the altar, the Officer of’ the Day will halt and execute "left face." When the center of the column is opposite the altar, he will command: Recruits, HALT! Left, FACE! Immediately after executing "left face" the guides will move two paces to the rear and, bringing the guidons to the "order," will stand at "attention." The Officer of the Day will then salute the Commander and say:
Officer of the Day: Sir, I present to you these recruits who have been fully prepared and now
await your orders.
Commander: Recruits of the United Spanish War Veterans, by forms and words familiar during your service with the colors, you have been led to this altar and, on the way, you have been given a knowledge of the principles and purposes of our organization. Believing you worthy, we are prepared to muster you into our ranks and now ask if you are ready to take upon yourselves our solemn obligation?
Each recruit will respond: I am.
The Commander will give *** and will advance from his station to a position two paces in front of the rostrum and command: COLORS!
At this command, the Color Sergeants will quickly advance to their respective colors, take them from the sockets, close in to one pace from the Commander and face toward the altar. The Commander will then command, in a low voice: Forward, Guide Center, MARCH! at which the Color Sergeants will move forward with him and command: Colors, HALT! at two paces from the altar. Upon halting, the Color Sergeants will execute "order colors," and stand at "attention." The Commander will step one pace to the front and command: The Chaplain will invoke the Divine Blessing. Parade, REST! which will be executed by all in the hall, including Color Sergeants, guides and the recruits.
Chaplain: Eternal Father, draw near with the influence of Thy spirit as we, in true devotion and with that patriotism which Thou hast blessed in the past, draw near to Thee. We thank Thee for Thy mercies to these Thy servants now at this altar, preserved through the dangers in war, and permitted to enjoy a peaceful life in the land they helped to honor. 0 God! to them much has been given; of them much will be required. Make them mindful of their duties to their comrades living, and of those more sacred duties to those left under their care and protection. Keep them unshaken in their devotion to our flag and country; assist them to fulfil the obligation which they are now to assume, and grant that the principles of our organization may so control their lives that at the end they may hear the approving words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servants.’ Amen.
All respond: Amen.
Commander: Camp, ATTENTION! Addresses the recruits at the altar: As you stand at this altar, whereupon lies the Word of God and the flag of our country, I beg you to reflect that this is no unmeaning ceremony, but that the obligation you are now to assume is a pledge which one comrade gives another, solemnly calling on God to witness the sincerity of his vow. You will each raise your right hand and repeat after me the obligation of the United Spanish War Veterans.
The Commander will slowly and in a distinct tone repeat the obligation, clause by clause, the recruits following in unison: I, …, in the presence of Almighty God, and these comrades of the United Spanish War Veterans, do hereby earnestly renew the oath of allegiance which I took upon entering the service of the United States, and, moreover, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will at all times faithfully serve my country, by obeying the laws of the land, encouraging honor and purity in public affairs, and, in a spirit of true patriotism reverence and protect our glorious flag as the emblem of Liberty; that I will be a loyal comrade, faithful and obedient to all authority by which we may be governed; that I will keep sacred the secrets of the United Spanish War Veterans and earnestly strive for the upbuilding of the organization; that I will aid, so far as I can without injury to myself or family, worthy comrades~ their dependents, and the dependents of those deceased who need my assistance, and, in the spirit of true comradeship, seek to promote their welfare.
This obligation I voluntarily assume and promise to fulfil on my honor as a man.
The Commander will signal the hands to be dropped and will address the new comrades.
Commander: Comrades, for so I may now term you, by reason of your faithful service to your country, you have been privileged to take upon yourselves the sacred obligation of the United Spanish War Veterans. The toils and duties of that service life are over but there remains with us a blessed memory of the comradeship there created, and in this renewal of the old comradeship we welcome you as brothers.
The war in which you were engaged has brought the nation magnificent results. You have assisted in giving liberty to an unfortunate people struggling against tyranny. You have helped to spread throughout the world a higher degree of civilization and a broader spirit of humanity than had theretofore existed. You have aided in making the flag of our nation respected and honored in every land and on every sea.
The war destroyed the last vestige of sectionalism in this country. Today we are a united people—no North, no South, no East, no West—but one great country, magnificent in motives, invincible in power. For all this the people of the nation owe you a debt of gratitude that should not be forgotten.
To perpetuate the memories and the comradeship of the War with Spain, the Insurrection in the Philippines and the China Relief Expedition, this organization was founded; and, without favor or distinction, opens wide its fraternal gates to those who, in obedience to orders, nobly performed active service, and to those who, with heroic patience and devotion to duty, waited in vain for the summons to join their comrades at the front.
Under the banner of Freedom, Patriotism and Humanity, our beloved organization has constantly progressed onward and upward, and for that and the future, however long that may be, deserves the best we have to give.
The Commander will proceed to the rear of the altar, where he will be joined by the Quartermaster, who will salute and deliver to him the required number of membership badges and lapel buttons to decorate the new comrades. The Commander will then present to each new comrade a membership badge and fasten a lapel button in the lapel of his coat. The Quartermaster will render such assistance as may he necessary and, after saluting the Commander, will return to his station.
The Commander will resume his former position in front of the altar and addresses the new comrades.
Commander: Comrades, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander, I now authorize you to wear the tokens of active membership in the United Spanish War Veterans, which can be obtained only in the way in which you have received them.
As you have earned the right to wear these precious emblems by faithful service to your country in time of war, ever bear in remembrance the great lesson in patriotism which that service taught you, and let these tokens be to you a neverfailing reminder of your duty as citizens and as comrades, a guard against everything that can disgrace the past you helped to make honorable and that our dead have made sacred or that can bring shame upon the United Spanish War Veterans.
The Commander will face about and command: Carry, COLORS! About, FACE!" and will take position between the Color Sergeants. He will then command: Forward, Guide Center, MARCH!
When the Commander and colors have reached a point two paces from the rostrum, the Commander will command: DISMISSED! and proceed directly to his station. At the command "dismissed," the senior Color Sergeant will change direction to the left and the Junior Color Sergeant will change direction to the right. The Color Sergeants will march to the sockets provided For their respective colors, deposit the colors and return to their stations. Immediately after the Color Sergeants execute "about face," the Officer of the Day will command in a low voice: Guides, DISMISSED! at which the guides will retire from the altar and will place the guidons in the receptacles provided for them and resume their stations. If the Sergeant Major and Quartermaster Sergeant are the guides, they will seat themselves, the former on. the right and the latter on the left of the Senior Vice-Commander, and resume their stations at the close of the ceremony.
The Commander will give * and direct the Officer of the Day.
Commander: Officer of the Day, you will instruct the comrades in the secret work and in matters of Camp procedure.
In the discretion of the Commander, this instruction may be given, or, when any person other than active members of the organization is present, shall be given in the anteroom as hereinafter provided, in which case the Commander will direct the Officer of the Day at this point to conduct the comrades to the Adjutant’s station.
The Officer of the Day will salute the Commander and, taking position in front of the altar, facing the new comrades, will address them.
Officer of the Day: I will now instruct you in the secret work and in matters of Camp procedure.
To obtain entrance to your Camp while it is in session, you will give an ordinary rap at the outer door and whisper to the sentinel on guard the countersign, which will admit you to the anteroom. The countersign for the current term to be given in a low voice is …. All active members in good standing are entitled to receive the countersign, which is usually changed at the beginning of each semi-annual term, and it will be your duty to obtain it from the Commander or other authorized officer of the Camp, in case you should not be present at the meeting when it is given out.
From the anteroom you will be admitted to the Camp by the Officer of the Guard, if he recognizes you as an active member in good standing; if not, he will announce your name to the presiding officer and await his instructions.
Admission to any other Camp while it is in session will be obtained in the same manner as in your own Camp, except that, if you are not vouched for to the Officer of the Guard by an active member in good standing, you will be obliged to show your visiting card and to submit to such examination as may be required to prove your identity and qualifications.
Upon entering the Camp while it is in session, you will proceed to the altar and salute the presiding officer, who will return the salute. You will then be seated. Upon leaving the Camp while it is in session, you will likewise proceed to the altar and salute in the same manner as on entering.
Desiring to speak in a meeting of the Camp, you will rise and salute the presiding officer and address him: ‘Comrade Commander.’ Official titles are employed in addressing or referring to officers of the Camp and other officers of the organization.
For all other active members use the title ‘Comrade.’ (In a Naval Camp instruction should be given in the use of the title ‘Shipmate.’)
The grip is given thus: ….
The gavel is used thus: Two raps call up the officers; three raps call up the entire Camp; one rap is the signal for attention, calls to order, or seats the Camp; one rap is also used to close the Camp and each order of its business.
As the Officer of the Day specifies the number of raps with the gavel used to call up the officers and to call up and seat the Camp, the Commander will give the designated number of raps in each case and the officers and Camp will respond.
The Officer of the Day will face about, salute the Commander and report.
Officer of the Day: Sir, your instructions have been obeyed.
In the discretion of the Commander, the Officer of the Day may be directed at this point to conduct the new comrades to the outpost and require them to work their way separately into the Camp, and reconduct them to the altar. In this case, the Officer of the Day will see that each of them gives the proper salute to the Commander on leaving and returning to the altar and will superintend the work of each one at the outer door.
Commander: Officer of the Day, you will conduct the comrades to the station of the Adjutant, where they will subscribe to the laws of the organization and the by-laws of this Camp, and then re-conduct them to the altar.
The Officer of the Day will salute and conduct the comrades to the Adjutant’s station and, after they have signed the Descriptive Book and have received from the Adjutant a copy of the by-laws of the Camp and an application for membership blank, will re-conduct them to the altar and salute and report to the Commander Officer of the Day: Sir, the comrades have signed the Descriptive Book and have received from the Adjutant a copy of the by-laws of the Camp and an application for membership blank.
Commander gives ***: Comrades, I admonish you to study carefully the by-laws of this Camp and to begin your work in its behalf by using your best effort to bring in at our next meeting the application for membership of an eligible veteran who will be a good member of the Camp. And now, by virtue of the authority in me vested as Commander of this Camp, I declare you duly mustered into the United Spanish War Veterans and heartily welcome you to our comradeship and to all the rights and privileges of active membership in … Camp, No. …, Department of …, United Spanish War Veterans.
If the instructions in the secret work and in matters of Camp procedure have not been given to the new comrades in accordance with the regular form, the Commander, immediately after the foregoing declaration, will give * and direct the Officer of the Day.
Commander: Officer of the Day, you will conduct the comrades to the anteroom, instruct them in the secret work and in matters of Camp procedure, and then direct them to work their way into the Camp.
After saluting and seeing that the new comrades salute properly at the altar, the Officer of the Day will conduct them to the anteroom and the Camp will proceed to further business.
When the new comrades have been properly instructed and have separately passed the sentinel at the outer door in working their way into the Camp, the Officer of the Day will conduct them. to the altar, and the Commander will immediately re-open under "Muster-
in of recruits" and give ***. The Officer of the Day will see that the comrades properly salute the Commander and will then salute and report to him.
Officer of the Day: Sir, your instructions have been obeyed.
The Commander will then introduce the new comrades separately and, as each one is introduced, he will step one pace to the Front. (Any ceremony of reception of new comrades whereby each one is introduced separately to each member of the Camp will be permitted).
The Commander will direct the Officer of the Day to conduct the new comrades to seats with the Camp, after doing which the Officer of the Day will resume his station.
If the instructions to the new comrades in the secret work and in matters of Camp procedure are given in the Camp hall, the officer of the Day, after the closing of the Camp, will carefully instruct them in the portions of the "General and Special Instructions" under the heads of "Camp Procedure," "Salutes", "Parade Rest" and "Secret Methods of Identification" which are not included in the prescribed form. These additional instructions will always be given to the new comrades in the anteroom when they are conducted there for the purpose of instruction.
 
 
Closing Ceremonies
 
Commander: Is there any further business to come before this Camp? If there is none, ***.
Comrades, we have performed the duties of the session, and it has been our purpose to perform them faithfully and well. Let us go forth from this Camp with high resolves to be faithful in meeting and performing all the obligations of life and of our comradeship, and in upholding the principles of our beloved organization—Freedom, Patriotism and Humanity. Color Sergeants, retire the colors!
At this command, the Color Sergeants will quickly advance to their respective colors, take them from the sockets, close in to a position directly in front of the station of the Commander, and face toward the altar.
The Commander will command: Camp, SALUTE!
If "Retreat" is blown, followed by the "Star Spangled Banner," the members will be brought to "parade rest" at the first note of "Retreat" and to "Attention" at the last note, in the playing of the National Anthem, members will salute as heretofore prescribed. The procedure will be the same if "Retreat" or the "Star Spangled Banner"’ only is rendered) The Camp color only will salute when the hands are brought up and the carry will be resumed as the hands are dropped. After the salute, the colors will be conducted to the anteroom, passing the station of the Chaplain, and will be placed in the lockers provided for them.
After the colors have been retired from the hall, the Commander will direct the Chaplain.
Commander: The Chaplain will pronounce the benediction. Parade, REST!
The Chaplain will proceed to the altar.
Chaplain: May the blessing of God be upon us and remain with us, and may He keep us true to our country, loyal to our flag, and faithful to our fraternity. Amen.
All respond: Amen.
The Chaplain will close the Bible.
Commander: Camp, ATTENTION! I now declare the Camp closed. *.

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