170715Sat- BoH Flag-Raising

[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 15, 2017
[3-in-3: delivering 3 patriotic reminders in 3 minutes]

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

Garden of the Gods in foreground and Pikes Peak in background [public domain image]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

Across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff, except in New York - where it remains at half-staff to honor State Trooper Joel Davis who will be laid to rest today.

During this past week, the following states lowered the Stars & Stripes to honor distinguished citizens who died:
-New York honored State Trooper Joel Davis who was killed in the line of duty responding to a domestic dispute
-North Caroline paid tribute to the 16 service members killed in this week's KC-130 plane crash, including 15 Marines and 1 sailor - several of whom were stationed at Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point Marine Corps Bases in North Carolina.
[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]

TODAY'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[credit: combo of public domain images and quote]

On this date in 1806, US Army Lieutenant Zebulon Pike leaves Missouri to explore the west. His adventures earn him the honor of having one of American's most famous peaks named after him - Pikes Peak, standing more than 14,000 feet, overlooking Colorado Springs, Colorado.

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS' COMMEMORATION:

Monday's KC-130 crash victims: 15 Marines and 1 sailor [public domain picture via DoD]

Yesterday, the Department of Defense released the official list of victims in Monday's Marine Corps KC-130 plane crash. We honor their service to our country and the countries to which they deployed during their careers - defending our Constitution and fighting to bring freedom to citizens in oppressed regions.

We'll now read off the names of all 15 Marines and 1 sailor as we play the 'Marines' Hymn':
KC-130 Crew Members -
- Corporal Collin J. Schaaff
- Corporal Daniel L. Baldassare
- Sergeant Julian M. Kevianne
- Sergeant Owen J. Lennon
- Staff Sergeant Joshua M. Snowden
- Gunnery Sergeant Brendan C. Johnson
- Gunnery Sergeant Mark A. Hopkins
- Captain Sean E. Elliott
- Major Caine M. Goyette

Marine Raiders from 2nd Raider Battalion -
- Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Ryan Lohrey (U.S. Navy)
- Sergeant Dietrich A. Schmieman
- Sergeant Joseph J. Murray
- Sergeant Chad E. Jenson
- Sergeant Talon R. Leach
- Staff Sergeant Robert H. Cox
- Staff Sergeant William J. Kundrat

On Sunday, we'll go back to paying tribute to each fallen service member individually. It will be #3 of 16 to commemorate.

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

via GIPHY

In closing, take a moment to reflect upon Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells - especially of those who are deployed defending our freedoms and fighting to liberate others.

[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 BoH ceremony.
Now, go be a good citizen!!!

################
END OF CEREMONY
################

... 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