What is a General Flag Ceremony?

The U.S. Military does it right for ceremonial events.  The pomp and circumstance alone can give you goosebumps and make you proud to be an American.

I had the recent honor of attending the promotion and pinning ceremony at the Arizona Air National Guard for now Brig. Gen. John Conley, whom I’ve known for years.

The ceremony had quite a check list, including the arrival of the official party, presentation of colors, invocation, remarks from the presiding officer, reading of the promotion orders, pinning of rank, oath of office, flag presentation, John’s remarks, the singing of the Air Force song and the departure of the official party.

The flag presentation was something I had never seen, or even been aware of before this ceremony. Neither had most of the other civilians amongst us.

Every general has his or her own flag to display in their office.

Brigadier general officer flags have one star.  Two stars signifies a major general, three stars for a lieutenant general and four stars denotes a general. At military receptions and dinners, especially when general officers are present, the custom is to display appropriate national colors and distinguishing flags such as these in the “flag line.”  Protocol further calls for the flag line to be centered behind the receiving line and/or the head table.

Oh, and as if there were any doubts, the ceremony started promptly at 1400 hours.