170614Wed- Flag Ceremony

Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Ceremony
for Wednesday, June 14, 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 is Flag Day and the US Army's 242nd birthday

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, Our Flag flies at half-staff in honor of Representative Patsy Terrell of Kansas House District 102, who passed away unexpectedly on June 7th. Also, today, the State Flags of Arkansas and North Carolina fly at half-staff to commemorate police officer Lt. Patrick Weatherford killed in the line of duty on June 12th and Cpl. Baldridge killed in action on June 10th respectively.

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:

Today, June 14th, is 'Flag Day'

On this date, June 14th in 1777, a Second Continental Congress resolution adopted the 'Stars & Stripes' as Our Flag of the United States.
Then, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed and established June 14th of each year as 'Flag Day' - commemorating the anniversary of the 'Flag Resolution of 1777'.
But, it wasn't until 1949, by way of an Act of Congress signed by President Truman, that June 14th became officially designated as 'National Flag Day'.
While 'Flag Day' is not a federal holiday, there is one state, Pennsylvania, that celebrates it as a state holiday.
So, on this date, please, fly the American Flag at your home and/or business. And take a moment to look upon Our Flag and think of a patriotic person or event whose story of 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness' is woven into its red, white, and blue fabric.

TODAY'S FALLEN COMBATANT ALERT:

Sgt. Bays, Sgt. Houck, and Cpl. 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 Sergeant William Bays, Sergeant Eric Houck, and Corporal Dillon Baldridge, who was posthumously promoted to Sergeant, were infantry soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division serving in the Nangahar province of Afghanistan. They were killed by small arms fire from a Taliban terrorist serving in the Afghan Army. They're Commanding General had this to say about these soldiers: "Today, as we grieve, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Cpl. Baldridge, Sgt. Houck and Sgt. Bays. We take this as a family loss," said Maj. Gen. Andrew Poppas, Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division. "In the days ahead, the 101st Soldiers and the Rakkasans will continue the fight against terrorism with unbridled determination. Our Soldiers are battle-hardened and committed to the defense of our nation and the freedoms for which we fight."
[Go here to learn more about these soldiers courtesy of the Army Times]

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 Bays, Sergeant Houck, Corporal 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