170804- Flag's Daily Briefing

[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
Our Flag's Daily Briefing
for Friday, August 4, 2017
[3-in-3: delivering 3 patriotic reminders in 3 minutes]

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

On this day, August 4th, in 1936, American Jesse Owens won the long jump, and 2nd of 4 gold medals, at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. His performance proved that Adolf Hitler’s belief of 'Aryan' race superiority was WRONG. [public domain images]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

Across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff.

[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 United States Coast Guard is... ALWAYS READY!

[public domain image]

[Note: You're welcome to play 'Semper Paratus' performed by The U.S. Coast Guard Band in the background to enhance today's ceremony experience]

Today is Coast Guard Day.
On this date, August 4th, in 1790, Alexander Hamilton led the founding of the U.S. Coast Guard. Back then, it was called the 'Revenue Cutter Service' and its job was to enforce the first tariff / import tax laws passed by the U.S. Congress. Since that time, the U.S. Coast Guard's responsibilities have included a variety of missions - including amphibious attacks during World War II, drug-trafficking interdiction, saving boater's lives, and protecting our homeland shores.

TODAY'S COMBATANTS KILLED IN ACTION COMMEMORATION:

[public domain image]

Today is a #NeverForgottenFriday because we have two new combatants killed in action to commemorate. U.S. Army Sergeant Jonathan Hunter and Specialist Christopher Harris of the 82nd Airborne were killed when their NATO convoy was ambushed by a suicide bomber on Wednesday.
Sgt. Hunter, a 23-year old infantryman from Columbus, Indiana, was on his first overseas deployment. He comes from a family with a long history of serving our nation - dating back to the Civil War. His family had this to say about Sgt. Hunter: “Jonathon loved his unit and serving his country and was excited about the opportunity to go to Afghanistan to do his part in fighting injustice.” “If you were down, he would cheer you up and he was God-loving. He was raised in the church.” Sgt. Hunter leaves behind his wife, Whitney.

Specialist Christopher Harris, a 25-year old infantryman from Jackson Springs, NC, was also killed during the attack on Wednesday. The Taliban took responsibility for the suicide bomber who rammed his explosive laden car into the NATO convoy outside Kandahar, Afghanistan. Specialist Harris also got married in October and recently learned his wife Britt was pregnant. Harris' commander stated, “Spc. Christopher Harris was an extraordinary young man and a phenomenal Paratrooper. He regularly displayed the type of courage, discipline, and empathy that the Nation expects from its warriors.”

CLICK HERE and here to learn more about these soldiers.

via GIPHY

In closing, take a moment to reflect upon Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells - like that of US Army soldiers Hunter and Harris, who died 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!!!

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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