The Royal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion attend many Ceremonies of Remembrance whether it be at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, local cenotaph, a Canadian War Cemetery in Europe or in some remote village where a plaque is being dedicated to our fallen comrades. To honour and pay respect to our fallen comrades at these ceremonies the Royal Canadian Legion forms a Colour Party that carry the following standards in their order of precedence; 1) the Canadian Flag [Maple Leaf], 2) The Red Ensign [1922-1957 Version], 3) the Union Jack, 4) the Provincial Flag [in Europe the Country Flag if carried], 5) the UN Banner, 6) the NATO Flag and 7) the Legion Banner [e.g. Branch Banner]. The standards are more commonly referred to as the Legion Colours.
New Regulations Regarding the Dipping of Colours
No dipping of colours of any sort shall be practiced by Legion Colour Parties at any function, public or private, with the exception of the Legion Banner at ceremonies for the purpose of Remembrance. It is Legion policy, as directed by Dominion Convention and Dominion Executive Council, to dip only the Legion Banner during the playing of the “Last Post” for the purpose of Remembrance.
At a Remembrance Service, when the first note of the “Last Post” is sounded, the Colour Party Member carrying the Legion Banner steps forward one pace, and the Legion Banner is dipped in a slow and dignified manner, held in the dipped position during the Silence, and recovered in a slow and dignified manner when the first note of “Rouse” is sounded. The Legion Banner should not be allowed to touch the ground. The Legion Banner should achieve the Carry position on the last note of “Rouse.” At the end of the tribute, the Colour Party Member steps back into formation.