170720Thu- 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 Thursday, July 20, 2017
[3-in-3: delivering 3 patriotic reminders in 3 minutes]

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

America was the first and is still the only country to have astronauts walk on the moon [public domain image]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

Across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff in all 50 states.

[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:

Apollo 11 astronauts (L to R) Neil Armstrong (mission commander), Michael Collins (command module pilot), and Buzz Aldrin (lunar module pilot),

"The Eagle has landed."
[Statement by Armstrong alerting NASA Mission Control that the "Eagle" lunar module had landed safely on the surface of the moon.]
On this date in America, July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 successfully reached the moon. America had won this phase of the 'Space Race' against the Soviets.
Astronaut Neil Armstrong then became the first man on the moon and famously proclaimed, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
Do you know?
Who was the second man to walk on the moon and is in most of the pictures taken that day?
Lunar Module pilot, Buzz Aldrin

TODAY'S FALLEN MARINE COMMEMORATION:

Marine Lance Corporal Dan Baldassare [USMC public domain picture]

Today, we remember and honor U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Dan Baldassare, 20, of Colts Neck, New Jersey. He was aboard serving as a Crewmaster with the 9-man KC-130 crew when the plane crashed last Monday, July 10th. In the news, here is what Ryan McGowen, a friend, had to say about Dan:
"He wanted to be a Marine since middle school, and even wore white U.S. Marine gloves to Colts Neck HS football practice," said his friend Ryan McGowen. "He was a patriot and all he wanted to do was serve our country. Everyone had a lot of respect for Dan."

We thank and honor Lance Corporal Dan Baldassare for defending our freedoms at home and abroad.
[Go here to learn more about the life of Dan Baldassare]

via GIPHY

In closing, take a moment to reflect upon Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells - like that of patriot and Marine, Dan Baldassare.

[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!!!

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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