170708Sat- Flag Ceremony

[Today's flag ceremony script is below. We recommend that you read aloud, in the best performance voice you have, all the ceremony text with 2 exceptions: 1) do not read caption text below pictures, and 2) do not read any text with [brackets] around it.]

Good morning, USA!!!
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor
Flag-Raising Ceremony
for Saturday, July 8, 2017
[3-in-3: delivering 3 patriotic reminders in 3 minutes]

READ THE CEREMONY SCRIPT IN BIG BOLD BELOW

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

Memorial to Molly Pitcher - a Revolutionary War heroine [public domain image]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS and WEEKLY RECAP:

Today, the Beacon of Honor tells us that, across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff, except in two states - North Carolina and Wisconsin.

During this past week, the following states lowered the Stars & Stripes to honor distinguished citizens who died:
-North Carolina commemorated former UNC Chancellor Paul Hardin
-Wisconsin honored former State Senator Ted Kanavas
-Alaska remembered U.S. Army Private First Class Hansen Kirkpatrick, who was killed in action in Afghanistan
-South Carolina honored the life of former public service by Ramon Schwartz Jr., former Speaker of the SC House of Representatives

[Click here to learn more about today's half-staff honorees and
verify the latest flag status for every state (courtesy of FlagNotify.com)]

Now, please, stand and place your hand upon your heart and make this flag-raising ceremony more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and 'the Republic for which it stands'.

[Note: Play 'Reveille' while raising / posting the flag of the United States of America]

[Note: You're welcome to play 'America the Beautiful' in the background to enhance today's ceremony experience]

THIS WEEK'S TOP REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
<The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America>

Testing your Declaration of Independence knowledge...
Question:
Who wrote the original draft of the Declaration of Independence? Ben Franklin, John Adams, or Thomas Jefferson?

Answer:
Thomas Jefferson was nominated by John Adams to write it

TODAY'S COMBATANT KILLED IN ACTION COMMEMORATION:

Aisne-Marne (World War I) American Cemetery in France [public domain image]

This week we celebrated 241 years of American freedom. So, let us not forget those who have fought to defend our liberties. Take a moment of solace today to remember and honor our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who have enabled us to live up to our forefathers beliefs in "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness".

via GIPHY

In closing, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and take a moment to reflect upon Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells -
like those of the public servants honored by their state's this past week.

[Optional: Say the 'Pledge of Allegiance' or sing the 'National Anthem' while closing the ceremony and placing your hand upon your heart.]

[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]

Thanks for attending today's flag-raising ceremony.
Now, go be a good citizen!!!

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END OF CEREMONY
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... 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