MILITARY ORDER OF THE WORLD WARS
MASSING OF THE COLORS
CEREMONIES
The
purpose of this handbook is to provide information that will assist Chapters
planning their first Massing of the Colors Ceremony.
BACKGROUND
The
Massing of the Colors is a patriotic ceremony to rededicate our faith in the
colors of the United States and to present our support to those Colors and of
the Servicemen and women those Colors represent. It combines the colors and
color guards of Active and Reserve Component military units, veterans’
organizations, civic and patriotic organizations.
The
Massing originated with The Society of the Massing of the Colors which was
organized on Armistice Day, 1922, by distinguished military officers, veterans
and civic leaders. The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) took over the
promotion of this inspiring ceremony when the Society of the Massing of the
Colors faded away.
In
2003 Chapters of the Military Order of the Worlds conducted _____ Massing of the
Colors Ceremonies throughout the United States. This Hand Book is intended to
assist you in starting your own Massing of the Colors ceremony. It is not as
difficult as you may think.
PARTICIPANTS
In
order to conduct a Massing of the Colors ceremony you have to have units and
organizations that potentially will participate. The following is intended to
serve as a list of type
organizations you may wish consider as potential participants, it not all
inclusive by any means. 1. Armed Forces of the United States (Active, Reserve,
and National Guard Components of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast
Guard), State Militia. 2. Service Academy Color Guards and
Reserve Officer Training Course color guards from the various colleges
and universities in your area. 3. Junior ROTC high school color guards. 4.
Veterans’ organizations to include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jewish War
Veterans, American Legion, National Sojourners, Disabled American Veterans,
Marine Corps League, Fleet Reserve, Military Order of the Purple Heart, American
Ex-Prisoners of War, AMVETS, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, 1st Marine
Division Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, Korean War Veterans, (many of
these organizations also have auxiliaries with their own color guards). 5. Youth
Organizations such as Civil Air Patrol, Sea Scouts, National Guard Challenge
Program units, Young Marines, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies. 6.
Uniformed Civilian Services such as local, county and state police, sheriffs
departments, fire departments. 7. Military Order of the World Wars Chapters.
8. Reinactors from various periods of our military such as the Buffalo
Soldiers, or Civil War units. Sons of Union Veterans and Sons of Confederate
Veterans. 9. Patriotic and Fraternal organizations such as Sons of the American
Revolution, National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, Daughters of the
American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists, Knights of Columbus.
10. Color guards from local schools and Local Bag Pipe bands.
POTENTIAL MASSING SITES
There
are many sites that can be considered for conducting of a Massing of the Colors
Ceremony. The first decision is to decide on an indoor or outdoor ceremony. If
you are in a part of our country that has sunny weather most of the time you
should by all means consider conducting the ceremony out of doors as seeing all
the units’ flags fluttering in a breeze is most impressive. On the other hand,
if your weather can be questionable much of the time you will want to consider
an indoor ceremony. With an indoor ceremony there is always the possibility of
lining up the units outside and then having them filing into the indoor
facility; however, provisions must to made to do the lineup indoors in case of
inclement weather.
Massing
of the Colors Ceremonies have been conducted at memorial sites, civic and state
parks, in churches, school auditoriums, military parade fields, and veterans
posts. The number of color guards participating and the size of the anticipated
audience will dictate the size of the facility needed. For instance, when the
General George G. Meade Chapter held its first Massing of the Colors Ceremony in
1987, 31 organizations participated and the ceremony was held in the Fort Meade
Chapel Center. By 1993 the number
of participating units and audience had outgrown the Chapel Center and the
ceremony was moved to Meade Senior High School where it has remained ever since.
MARCH ORDER PROTOCOL
The
order that military organizations appear in the order of march is spelled out by
military regulations. Assuming representatives are present the order is as
follows: Cadets, U.S. Military Academy, Midshipmen, U.S. Naval Academy, Cadets,
U.S. Air Force Academy, Cadets, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Midshipmen, U.S.
Merchant marine Academy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air
Force, U.S. Coast Guard, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps
Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, Coast Guard
Reserve, Other training organizations of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air
Force, and Coast Guard in that Order, respectively.
During
any period when the U.S. Coast Guard operates as a part of the U.S. Navy, the
cadets, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Coast Guard
Reserve take precedence, respectively, next after the midshipmen, U.S. Naval
Academy, the U.S. Navy, and the Naval Reserve.
The parade order for the other non-military participants is pretty much up to the Massing committee. One method is to group them by type such as: ROTC, JROTC, Veterans Groups, Uniformed Civil Services, Youth of America, Fraternal Organizations, Other. Within the ROTC and JROTC groupings, the order would follow that of the military.
Another
possibility is by order of an Association’s date of charter. Listed below are
various organizations in order of date of charter :
MAJOR TASKS
There
are many things to be accomplished for a successful Massing of the Colors. The
major tasks include the following: establish a date for the ceremony; acquire a
venue; establish a list of potential participants; invite potential units and
organizations; keep track of responses; establish a march order; prepare
announcer’s unit cards; establish a program or order of service; obtain a
speaker; assign Companions to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, read the Preamble,
serve as announcer; obtain a PA system; arrange for music; print programs for
participants and the public; appoint marshals and ushers; prepare instructions
for marshals; prepare participant certificates; brief necessary personnel;
arrange publicity; invite special guests; line up actual participants prior to
start of ceremony; prepare an after ceremony reception for everyone if the
decision is made to do it.
ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
When
a Chapter makes the decision to conduct a Massing of the Colors ceremony it
should appoint a Chairman who will be responsible for the overall conduct of the
operation. Some Chapters make this a specific duty of the Junior or Senior Vice
– Commander, other Chapters simply appoint one of their Companions as
Chairman. Either way works, dependent upon the responsibilities assigned to the
rest of the committee.
One
Chapter appoints a Companion to serve as Chairman until such time as he no
longer wants to do it. This person, maintains the potential participant mailing
list, locks in the venue, mails the potential participant invitations, tracks
the responses, prepares the participant certificates, drafts and obtains the
printed programs, works with the Order of Service chairman to develop the actual
sequence of events; arranges for a chief of lineup marshal and a chief
auditorium marshal and prepares written instructions for them. Although this
seems like a lot of work for one person, the individual has it all computerized
and has been doing it for seven years. The initial year was very busy until
everything was entered into the computer and formatted, but by keeping up with
the responses on a weekly basis, there is no big workload just before the
ceremony. These tasks can be assigned to several different individuals, if
desired. However, the individuals should all have computers and e-mail in order
to coordinate, minimize duplication of effort, and facilitate accomplishment of
tasks in a timely manner.
CONTROL SYSTEM
A
system must be established to keep track of participants during the planning and
build-up phases. A database or spreadsheet program can be used to facilitate
control. The choice is dependent upon the degree of comfort a person has with
the specific type of computer program.
The following is an explanation of how one Chapter’s system works. The potential participant mailing list is entered on a spreadsheet in the order that the participants would appear if they attended the ceremony. Included for each potential participant is its number, type organization, commander/point of contact name or title, unit designation, an attention column, street, and city-state-zip. This spreadsheet is continually updated until the invitations to potential participants are mailed. That information is then transferred to a program capable of generating mailing labels. The letter of invitation, instructions for the color guards, strip map, and a mailback card indicating they will or won’t participate (include the unit number on the card so you can positively identify the responding unit – the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read) is mailed. A second spreadsheet is then set up.
When
a mailback card is received indicating the organization will participate, the
unit’s number, full name, city and state is entered on the new spreadsheet.
This spreadsheet can then be periodically sorted on the number column, which
will place the units in the correct sequence. A certificate is prepared for the
unit and its number pencilled in on the back of the certificate; this makes it
easy to get the certificates in proper sequence. At the same time two 3 X 5
cards are prepared, one for the stake used to show the unit’s place in line
and the other one to be given to the announcer by the unit as it enters the
arena. Both cards have the unit name and number, but the announcer’s card also
has the unit’s city and state on it. If this is done on a weekly basis it is
easy to stay current, with no great workload at any one time.
Enclosures
Potential
participant letter
Instructions
to Color Guards
Outside
(Lineup) -Marshal Instructions
Order
of Service – One
Order
of Service - Two
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The
Military Order of the World Wars
Chapter Name
Chartered 9 August 1956
Dear Potential Participant in the Massing of the Colors
Ceremony:
The Chapter Name of The Military Order of the World Wars
cordially invites your organization to participate in the Seventeenth Annual
Massing of the Colors Ceremony at LOCATION, at DATE AND TIME OF CEREMONY.
The Massing of the Colors is a patriotic event. It focuses
attention on the positive aspects of the nation by acknowledging our heritage of
freedom and its symbolic representation -- the Flag of the United States of
America. The ceremony is relatively short, but moving and meaningful. Respect
and honor is rendered the flag, homage is paid to those who struggled to
preserve our freedom, and the people who attend are imbued with patriotism and
love of country.
This annual ceremony assembles Colors and Color Guards
representing many religious, military, veteran, patriotic, scouting and civic
organizations. These participants assemble, en masse, under their own banner in
a patriotic ceremony to provide a living tribute to our heritage and the dead of
all our wars who helped preserve it.
I highly encourage the participation of your organization.
Please respond by filling out and returning the enclosed postcard no later than
April 7, 2003. Receipt of your card
by April 7th will allow the listing of your organization on the program and in
press releases for the ceremony. Early response would greatly facilitate final
planning. If you have any questions concerning the ceremony, please call me at
PHONE NUMBER.
The Massing of the Colors Ceremony will begin promptly at 2:30
p.m.. Colors Guards will line-up as instructed by the Outside Marshals at 2:00
p.m. in the assembly area outside LOCATION. In case of inclement weather,
assembly will be in the hallway of the High School. Please be prompt. The
Outside Marshals will have copies of the program available for those desiring a
copy.
Please plan to participate in the Massing and then join us for
a reception immediately following the ceremony in the school cafeteria. I also
strongly urge you to invite your family and friends to join us for this special
ceremony and reception. I hope to see you on April 27th! You do not have to go
through any security check points to get to the High School
Sincerely,
Enclosures
NAME
COL, USA (Ret)
Chairman, Massing of the Colors
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLOR GUARDS
1.
Report to the outside marshals for name cards and place in line.
2.
Line up and march into the auditorium under the direction of the Outside
marshal and his assistants.
3.
CAUTION: Upon approaching and leaving the Auditorium entrance, lower
flags to avoid hitting the top of the entrance; raise flags only after clearing
the entrance overhang.
4.
Once inside the auditorium be watchful for, and follow, instructions of
the Inside Marshal and his assistants.
5.
Please stand at attention during the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of
the National anthem, and bow heads during the prayers.
6.
Escorts not in uniform will stand at attention with their right hand over
their heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.
7.
Endeavor to keep a proper interval while marching into and out of the
auditorium; do not lag and do not crowd.
8.
During the Ceremony, the flag bearers will support flag poles on the
floor and keep flag poles vertical whether sitting or standing.
9.
Certificates of Appreciation for each participating unit will be
available at the reception which immediately follows the ceremony.
10. Look
Sharp! You are the stars of the show!
11. The
CHAPTER NAME of the Military order of the World Wars thanks you for
participating in this Massing of the Colors Ceremony. We hope to see you back
again next year.
OUTSIDE MARSHAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. There
are 3 columns of stakes with unit name cards attached. They are in protocol
order and increasing numerical sequence (the
number is in the lower right corner and indicates the protocol order
number assigned when the invitations were initially sent). These columns are
designated RED, WHITE and BLUE. One Marshal will be assigned to each column.
2. There
are 3 packets of cards, color coded RED, WHITE and BLUE , with the unit's name
on them. The Marshal for column RED will have the RED coded cards, etc.. As a
unit enters the marshaling area they will report to the Chief Marshal who will
direct them to the correct color column Marshal. The color column Marshal will
then issue their card to the unit and instruct the unit to have the individual
who will be on the right flank of the color guard hold the card and, as they
enter the auditorium, hand it to
the individual collecting the cards for the announcer. As the announcer
reads their name they will proceed single file down the aisle and go
either right or left as directed by the marshal by the stage. Give the unit a
copy of the program. Instruct the unit to find the stake with their name on it
and form directly behind it.
3.
If a unit appears that does not have a card, make two cards for the unit,
one with the unit name and a contact person’s name and address (marshal to keep that card and turn it into Chief Marshal)
and one with the Unit’s name and home location to be given by the unit to the
announcer’s assistant inside the auditorium. Then determine what the proper
protocol location would be, and take the unit to that location.(See Protocol
Order list attached) The unit will stand off to the side of the unit they will
follow until the units move out, at that time they will blend into the line of
march.
4.
Shortly before 1430 hrs., each Marshal will go down his column and check
that the right flank individual has the unit card and is prepared to hand it to
the announcer's assistant. Remind the color guard to be aware of the low ceiling
at the entrance and not raise their colors until there is proper clearance. The
units should be in line at the entrance by 1430 hrs.
5.
Give any cards not distributed, to the Chief Marshal who will then turn
them over to the Chairman of the Massing of the Colors. Any card that was
prepared for an unexpected unit
should be marked to indicate the unit participated and is not a card for
non-attendees.
ORDER OF MARCH PROTOCOL
Service Academies
Army
Marines
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
Reserves
National Guard
State Militia
ROTC
JROTC
Jewish War Veterans
Veterans Of Foreign Wars
American Legion
National Sojourners
Disabled American Veterans
Marine Corps League
Fleet Reserve
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Ex-Prisoners of War
AMVETS
First Marine Division
Pearl Harbor
Survivors Association
Montford Point Marine Association
Vietnam Veterans of America
Korean War Veterans
555th Parachute Infantry Association
Civil Air Patrol
Sea Scouts
National Guard Military Youth Corps
Young Marines
Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts
Girl Scouts & Brownies
Police and Fire Department units
MOWW
Patriotic Organizations
Fraternal Organizations
Prelude
Trumpet
Fanfare
*Posting
of the Colors
*Procession
of Color Guards
*Special
Recognition
*National
Anthem
*Invocation
*Pledge
of Allegiance
Preamble
of the Constitution of The Military Order of The World Wars
Welcome
Introduction
of Guests
Introduction
of Guest Speaker
Guest
Speaker
Special
Music
Blessing
of the Colors
*Taps
*Benediction
*Retirement
of the Colors
*Recession
of Color Guards
*Postlude
*PLEASE
STAND
ORDER
OF SERVICE (Two)
Prelude
*Posting
of the Colors
*Procession
of Color Guards
*Blessing
of the Colors
*National
Anthem
*Invocation
*Pledge
of Allegiance
*Preamble
of the Constitution of
The
Military Order of the World Wars
Welcome
Scripture
Lesson
Deuteronomy
8:7-18
Hymn
“My Country ‘tis of Thee”
Responsive
Scripture, Psalm 23
Soloist
“On Eagles Wings”
Scripture Lesson
Isiah
26: 1-8
Address
*Hymn
“Eternal Father”
*Hymn
“God Bless America”
*Benediction
*Retiring
of Colors
*Recession
of the Color Guards
*Postlude
*
Please Stand