Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Ceremony
for Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Ceremony
for Tuesday, April 4, 2017
READ THE CEREMONY SCRIPT IN BIG BOLD BELOW
[Note: You're welcome to play 'The Stars and Stripes Forever' in the background to enhance the ceremony experience]
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag ... to Inform and Inspire Citizens
TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:
The Beacon of Honor tells us that, across the USA, Our Flag flies at full-staff, except in Massachusetts and Kentucky. The half-staff Flag in MA honors former State Senator and 37-year Lexington firefighter who died of a brain tumor on Sunday. He was known "first and foremost for his devotion to his family and as a fighter for those without a voice." In KY, the half-staff Flag pays tribute to Louisville Police Officer Nicholas Rodman - killed in the line of duty on 3/29. KY's Governor said, "Nick Rodman was a hero, and will forever be remembered as such. This is a terrible tragedy, and a painful reminder of the selfless bravery of those who choose to protect and serve us. We are grateful. Let's bind together as Kentuckians and let the LMPD, as well as all other law enforcement communities, know they have our full support. We must protect those who protect us."
Click here to verify Our Flag's (the U.S. Flag's) current status across the USA
FALLEN COMBATANTS:
Do we have any fallen combatants / fallen soldiers to honor?
A security force airman, Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, died on Tuesday, while serving in northern Syria with the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. Staff Sgt. Bieren, from Umatilla, Oregon, died in a non-combat incident. Bieren's commander had this to say about him, "Staff Sgt. Bieren was a valuable and beloved member of our team and will be sorely missed. His dedication to his country was evident in his actions. He was a superb airman."
[To find out more about Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, click here.]
[To find out more about Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, click here.]
TODAY'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
American Pride and Symbolism ...
On April 4, 1818, Congress, at the recommendation of U.S. Navy Captain Samuel Reid, passed an act for the design of the United States Flag. The Flag's stripes were reduced from 15 stripes to 13 to honor our original colonies. The newly enacted Flag would have 20 stars, with a new star to be added when each new state was admitted. The law also stated that new U.S. Flag designs would become official on the next July 4th after the new state(s) adoption date.
Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and make this Pledge of Allegiance (or National Anthem or flag-raising) more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells.
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END OF CEREMONY
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Now, go be a good citizen!!!
... more music selections to use with your flag ceremony ...
The U.S. Flag Code:
provides Our Flag's Rules and Regulations
[HIGHLIGHTS OF: The U.S. Flag Code stating how citizens should conduct themselves during this ceremony is below.]
Title 36, Chapter 10 PATRIOTIC CUSTOMS
National anthem; Star-Spangled Banner, conduct during playing:
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.
Note: A new law was passed on October 30, 2008 that authorizes veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem. This publication is currently being updated to reflect the new law.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.
The U.S. Flag Code:Provides Our Flag's Rules and Regulations
[HIGHLIGHTS OF: The U.S. Flag Code stating how citizens should conduct themselves during this ceremony is below.]
Title 36, Chapter 10 PATRIOTIC CUSTOMS
National anthem; Star-Spangled Banner, conduct during playing:
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.
Note: A new law was passed on October 30, 2008 that authorizes veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem. This publication is currently being updated to reflect the new law.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.
Content Sources & Credits:
Sources: Click here to see our Sources for content research
Credits: Unless otherwise noted here, photos displayed each day are public domain images, pictures by Sean Sweeney, or used by permission.
To learn more about the Beacon of Honor nonprofit project, go to http://BeaconOfHonor.org
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[Incorporated as GivingVu.org, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization] All Rights Reserved.