170613 - BoH Flag Ceremony - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag & Heralder of the Stories, Lessons, & Virtues woven within

Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Ceremony
for Tuesday, June 13, 2017

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

The '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 Kansas. In Kansas the half-staff flags are in honor of Representative Patsy Terrell of Kansas House District 102, who passed away unexpectedly on June 7th.

Click here to verify Our Flag's (the U.S. Flag's) current status across the USA (courtesy of FlagNotify.com)

TODAY'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

U.S. Army was born on June 14, 1775

Tomorrow is 'Flag Day', so today we will recognize and honor the birth of the United States Army, which was created on the same day, June 14th, two years before we officially recognized Our Flag.
The U.S. Army, America's first military service, was formed on June 14, 1775 by the 2nd Continental Congress.
The Continental Army, as it was called then, was comprised of 6 companies of riflemen who were commanded by George Washington.
Just 3 days after being established, these untrained, yet valiant soldiers of the Continental Army fought the British at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

TODAY'S COMBATANT KILLED IN ACTION (KIA) COMMEMORATION:

Cpl. Dillon Baldridge [Photo Credit: US Army]

Sadly, on June 10th, three Army soldiers were killed in action.
So, today, and for the next few days, we will honor each one of them.

U.S. Army Corporal Dillon Baldridge, who was posthumously promoted to Sergeant, was an infantry soldier in the 101st Airborne Division serving in the Nangahar province of Afghanistan. He, along with 2 other soldiers, was killed by small arms fire from a Taliban terrorist serving in the Afghan Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, and Army Commendation Medal for his actions during this deployment.
[Go here to learn more about Dillon Baldridge]

via GIPHY

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, like that of Sergeant Dillon Baldridge,
and all those who died defending our Constitution.

[No copyright: Image found on ThingLink.com]

Only those Americans who are willing to die for their country are fit to live.
-Douglas MacArthur

Lyrics by Francis Scott Key [Image: No copyright. Found on http://www.wadeburleson.org]

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END OF CEREMONY
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Now, go be a good citizen!!!

... And, here are 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.

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