170721Fri- 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 Friday, July 21, 2017
[3-in-3: delivering 3 patriotic reminders in 3 minutes]

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

On this date, July 21, in 2011, was the final space shuttle mission by the Atlantis crew: NASA astronauts Chris Ferguson (center right), commander; Doug Hurley (center left), pilot; Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus, both mission specialists. [public domain image]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

Today, the Beacon of Honor tells us that, across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff, except in 2 states - Colorado and Missouri. In Colorado, Old Glory flies at half-staff to honor the life of South Metro Firefighter Engineer Mike Freeman. And, in Missouri, Our Flag flies at half-staff to commemorate Firefighter Captain John Kemper who died in the line of duty.

[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:
It's a 'Never Forgotten Friday'

15 Marines and 1 Sailor killed in June 10th KC-130 plane crash are #NeverForgotten [public domain picture]

On this #NeverForgottenFriday, we note that we are halfway through individually honoring, with their own Beacon of Honor daily flag ceremony, each of the 15 Marines and 1 sailor killed in the KC-130 crash on Monday, July 10th. Please, take a moment to thank these service members for defending our freedoms and fighting to liberate others and pray for their families in mourning.
You're welcome to go back and review our BoH Flag-Raising pages on this website and/or broadcasts on Twitter to see how we've paid tribute to 8 of the #Fallen16 so far.

TODAY'S FALLEN MARINE COMMEMORATION:

Sergeant Julian Kevianne, a crew member in the deadly KC-130 crash [USMC - public domain image]

Today, we remember and honor U.S. Marine Sergeant Julian Kevianne of Detroit, Michigan. He was aboard serving as a Crewmaster with the 9-man KC-130 crew when the plane crashed last Monday, July 10th.
His brother Carlo said that Julian joined the Marines in 2009 because he wanted to "protect and defend his country.” He graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in mechanical engineering.

We thank and honor Sergeant Julian Kevianne for defending our freedoms at home and abroad.
[Go here to learn more about the life of Julian Kevianne]

via GIPHY

In closing, take a moment to reflect upon Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells.

[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