The duties for the court of honor where rotated from troop to troop. One troop would be hosting the court of honor. When it was our turn we were in charge of setting up the chairs and preparing everything for the court of honor. We were also in charge of the flag ceremony. Every serious scout knew how to conduct a flag ceremony. I would lay awake at night just rehearsing in my mind how to do it. The scout would stand at the microphone at 7:00 pm to start the meeting. He would then say in a commanding voice, "Color guard attention! Forward march." The boys carrying the American flag, the State of Utah flag, and our troop flag would begin marching very somberly to the front. They were followed by three boys who made up the color guard. "Would the audience please rise." Everyone stood up as the color guard came forward. Those in uniform saluted while those not in any sort of uniform placed their hand over their heart. Then the color guard would turn with precision and march to the front. The scout conducting the flag ceremony would then say, "Present colors." Each boy would release the flag so that it fluttered down naturally as he held the pole at a 60 degree angle. The scout at the microphone then said, "Repeat the pledge of allegiance." When this was done he said, "Post colors." The boys placed each flag in a flag holder so it would stand by itself. The American flag always went on the left side as the audience saw it. This was because the American flag is on it's "own" right. Meaning the flag's right side as it faced the audience. When this was done the boy scout who posted the American flag would approach the scout conducting and said while saluting, "Colors posted, sir." To which the scout conducting would dismiss the color guard and ask the audience to be seated. He then announced who would say the opening prayer. At the end of the court of honor he would go through a similar ceremony to retrieve the flag.
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