Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 5 | State Insignia; Seals; Holidays
Section 5.015 | Suggested Ceremonial Procedure for Retirement of State Flag.

Effective: April 12, 2021
Latest Legislation: House Bill 32 - 133rd General Assembly
(A) The general assembly recommends the following ceremonial procedure for the retirement of the state flag, to be followed, voluntarily, with respect and dignity, by civilians and civilian groups or organizations.
(B) The ceremony shall consist of three parts: a preamble, a pledge, and the retirement by burning of the separated parts of the state flag.
(C) Before the ceremony to retire the state flag, the dedicated parts of the state flag shall be separated as specified in division (G) of this section in preparation for the ceremony. A written preamble as set forth in division (D) of this section shall be provided to all persons upon entering the premises where the ceremony will occur along with a copy of the pledge set forth in section 5.013 of the Revised Code.
(D) The preamble to the ceremony shall state the following:
I am the flag of the state of Ohio.
My first witness to our country as your state symbol was to the assassination of President William McKinley on September 14, 1901.
Our state went nearly one hundred years without a flag to represent us.
The spirit of Ohio is within me.
I represent everything: from the hills and valleys, to the rivers and roadways of our great state.
I call our state great for many reasons.
Some have called our state the Mother of Presidents.
Eight of our nation's presidents have been born among these hills and valleys.
Know that, in my retirement, my spirit must live on.
The spirit of Ohio must live on!
The history of yesterday, the gifts of the present, and the future of tomorrow.
These principles are woven into me!
(E) All persons present who are able, should be asked to stand at attention with their right hands placed over their hearts or with the appropriate salute during the pledge to the flag. A speaker shall lead the group in stating the pledge set forth in section 5.013 of the Revised Code.
(F) After the pledge, the speaker shall ask that the stripes be brought forth, stating: "Please bring forth the stripes of our flag. These stripes represent the roads and waterways of Ohio. Let them now be retired by fire." The speaker shall then ask that the union and stars be brought forth, stating: "Please bring forth the blue union and stars of our flag. This union represents the hills and valleys of Ohio. These stars represent our joining the Union as the 17th state. Now let them be retired by fire. As we continue about our daily lives, keep in mind the spirit of the flag and know that it lives on."
(G) The dedicated parts of the state flag shall be cut in separate parts including the triangular blue union with stars as one piece, the three red stripes as three separate pieces, and the two white stripes as two additional pieces. The five stripes shall be presented upon the request of the speaker. The blue union and stars shall be presented as one piece upon the request of the speaker.

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