Muster Day -- 31 May 04
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1.0 Overview

Each Memorial Day, the Hanover Recreation Department and Hanover Center Church observe the traditions of both Decoration Day and Muster Day with an observance at the Hanover Center Cemetery. The Boy Scouts provide a color guard and lead a procession from the church to the cemetery, where the Cub Scouts and Brownies remove the old, tattered flags from the graves of veterans, and replace them with new, fresh flags.

2.0 Concept

2.1 Description

The advance team of scouts will meet at the Hanover Center Green at 1500 to help set up the facilities. At the same time, the color guard will drill the presentation of the colors and the procession to the cemetery.

At 1530 other scouts, the Cub Scouts, the Girl Scouts and the Brownies will arrive. We will give them a briefing on the ceremony and then practice at least once.

The actual ceremony begins at 1600. We will follow the program published by the Town of Hanover. Our role will be to present the colors, lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and then lead the procession from the church to the cemetery. At the cemetery, the color guard will post the colors at the gate and the rest of the scouts will enter the cemetery to begin replacing flags. A flag disposal detail of older Scouts will have built a fire on a fire stand outside the cemetery, and the old flags will be respectfully burned as they are brought out of the cemetery.

In case of rain, the ceremony will move inside the church. Nevertheless, the flag replacement will still take place. Participants need to be flexible to adapt the program as necessary.

When the flags have been collected, Rev. Brayman will offer a benediction. The Hanover High School Band will play Taps and the ceremony ends.

Following the ceremony, we are welcome to eat the picnic meal served on the church lawn. Tickets are provided for uniformed participants; others pay $3.00.

After dinner, the scouts help put tables and chairs away in the church.

2.2 Schedule of Events

1500 -- Setup
1530 -- Reharse
1600 -- Ceremony
1700 -- Dinner

2.3 Expected Conditions and Difficulty

This is black fly season. Be prepared to carry on in the rain.

2.4 Special Requirements

Open to all scouts, scouters, and parents. There are no skill prerequisites for this outing.

3.0 Administration and Logistics

3.1 Announcement Date: 12 May 04

3.2 Roster Closing Date: 31 May 04

3.3 Costs

None for participants. Dinner is $3 for non-partricipants.

3.4 Equipment

3.4.1 Individual Equipment

Class A uniform. Look sharp!

3.4.2 Patrol Equipment

None

3.4.3 Troop Equipment

  • First Aid Kit
  • Troop and US flags with staves.
  • Replacement flags (Procure from the Hanover Recreation Department.)
  • Cinder blocks and cement board for fire stand (stored at the Beach residence in Hanover Center.)
  • Dry firewood.

    3.5 Transportation Plan

    Drop-off Point: Hanover Center Green
    Drop-off Time: 1530 Mon 31 May
    Pickup Point: Hanover Center Green
    Pickup Time: approx 1730 same day

    4.0 Leadership

    4.1 Planning Committee

  • Christian
  • Steve

    4.2 Adult Leaders

  • SMIC: Mr. Hoge
  • Dr. Brown

    Approved: GCH

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