170802Wed- 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 Wednesday, August 2, 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, August 2, of 1992, Jackie Joyner-Kersee became the first women to win back-to-back Olympic Hepathlon gold medals. [courtesy of Tony Duffy / Getty Images for educational use]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

Today, the Beacon of Honor tells us that, across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff, except in ???.

[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:
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

Signing of the Declaration of Independence [public domain image]

[Note: You're welcome to play 'God Bless the USA' performed by the U.S. Army Field Band in the background to enhance today's ceremony experience]

Was the original Declaration of Independence document signed by members of the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776?

Actually, no, the majority of the 55 members of the Continental Congress signed the parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776 at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. This signed declaration is the one kept and displayed at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
It boldly proclaims to the King of England that "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

TODAY'S FALLEN SERVICE MEMEBER ALERT:

[public domain image]

Thankfully, there are no new fallen combatants to report.
???

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