170722Sat- 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 22, 2017
[3-in-3: delivering 3 patriotic reminders in 3 minutes]

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

USA's Greg LeMond, as designated by the yellow shirt, leading the 1990 Tour de France. He's the only American to have ever won the Tour de France - winning it 3 times (1986, 1989, 1990). The 3rd win was on this date, July 22 in 1990. ... In case you're wondering, Lance Armstrong was stripped of his 7 titles for doping. [Image credit: Chris Timm on wikipedia]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

Across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff today.

During this past week, only two states lowered the Stars & Stripes to honor distinguished citizens who died:
-Missouri honored Firefighter Captain John Kemper who died in the line of duty while helping to battle some of the 11 fires that raged on July 4th in St. Louis.
-Colorado remembered the incredible 43 years that South Metro Firefighter Engineer Mike Freeman served the South Denver area before succumbing to recently diagnosed brain cancer.

[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:
... American pioneering spirit ...

Wiley Post (on the left) flying in Germany back in 1931.

On this date, July 22nd, in 1933, Wiley Post completed the first solo around the world flight. His return landing at Floyd Bennett Field in New York City occurred 7 days, 18 hours and 49 minutes after he departed. Wiley's trailblazing feat punctuated America's continual dominance of making flight firsts and reinforced America's determination and drive to be the best in aeronautics.

TODAY'S FALLEN MARINE ALERT:

Gunnery Sergeant Brendan Johnson, a crew member of the KC-130 that crashed on July 10th. [USMC - public domain picture]

Today, we remember and honor U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Brendan Johnson of Chittenden, Vermont. He was aboard serving as a Crewmaster with the 9-man KC-130 crew when the plane crashed last Monday, July 10th. He was a combat veteran that fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan during his 23-year career.
According to press reports, Gunnery Sergeant Johnson was planning to retire next year, move with his 16-year wife, Anna, to Montana and possibly pursue a master's degree. He came from a family of military veterans - including his grandfather and father-in-law.

We thank and honor Gunnery Sergeant Brendan Johnson for defending our freedoms at home and abroad.

[Go here to learn more about the life of Brendan Johnson]

via GIPHY

In closing, take a moment to reflect upon Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells - of the competitive American spirits of LeMond and Wiley and of the fortitude of 23-year Marine Gunnery Sergeant Brendan Johnson to fight for our freedoms and 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!!!

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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