170418 - Flag Ceremony - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag (half-staff alerts)

Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Ceremony
for Tuesday, April 18, 2017

READ THE CEREMONY SCRIPT IN BIG BOLD BELOW
[Note: You're welcome to play 'Stars and Stripes Forever' in the background to enhance today's flag ceremony]

Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag ... to Inform and Inspire Citizens

Heritage Elementary flags flying at half-staff.

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:
The Beacon of Honor tells us that, across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff, except in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The last time Our Flag flew at half-staff just in the state of Colorado, was on February 22, 2017 in honor of former Colorado Lieutenant Governor Mark Hogan.
Click here to verify Our Flag's (the U.S. Flag's) current status across the USA

FALLEN COMBATANTS:
Do we have any new fallen combatants to honor?

Showing respect to US Army Green Beret Staff Sergeant Mark De Alencar's casket passing by.

Thankfully, there are no new fallen soldiers.
The last solider killed in combat was U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, Staff Sergeant Mark De Alencar.
He was killed in action, while in a gun battle with ISIS terrorists on April 8th.

TODAY'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

Our first grade patriotic program countdown asks…
What American Symbol Am I?
Raise your hand when you know what American symbol I am?

-More than 6M people, that’s about the population of Colorado, visit me on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. each year.

-Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I have a dream” speech on the steps of my memorial.

MLK Jr's "I have a dream..." speech

Sea of people listening to Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK Jr.)

-The marble stone used to build my memorial building was from Colorado

-My statue sits 19 feet tall - nearly twice the height of a basketball hoop

National Mall of Washington, D.C.

Here’s one last hint.

-I’m pictured on the back of the $5 bill and penny

Yes, I’m the Lincoln Memorial.

I was built from 1915 to 1922 to honor our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln.
Just a few days ago, on April 14th, was the date of remembrance for Abe Lincoln - the date he was assassinated in 1865.
Through the Civil War, President Abe Lincoln led us to end slavery and reunite as a country.

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and make this Pledge of Allegiance more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells.

[No copyright: Image found on ThingLink.com]

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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 ...

[Cover of U.S. Government Publication]

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
SF