Scroll down to see how the Flag Steward nonprofit, which Informed, Inspired, & Served 1,510,109 Unique Users during the past year,
delivers an informative / inspiring daily 'Pre-Pledge Tribute' and the most accurate, honorable, and complete national, state, and local half-staff alerts for students to perform and all Americans to witness.
[ Top pic = public domain image of USS Arizona at half-staff ]
delivers an informative / inspiring daily 'Pre-Pledge Tribute' and the most accurate, honorable, and complete national, state, and local half-staff alerts for students to perform and all Americans to witness.
[ Top pic = public domain image of USS Arizona at half-staff ]
[ Students perform and/or listen to their teacher read the daily 'Pre-Pledge Tribute' text in RED ]
Welcome to today's Pre-Pledge Tribute and Half-Staff Alerts.
[ public domain image of State of Mississippi flag ]
Happy Birthday to Mississippi!
On this date, December 10th of 1817, Mississippi became the 20th state to join the Union. Nicknamed "The Magnolia State," Mississippi changed its state flag earlier this year. It replaced the "Confederate Battle Flag," which was placed in the upper left hand corner of the MS state flag from 1894 to 2021, with the star-encircled magnolia flower shown above.
Happy Birthday to Mississippi!
On this date, December 10th of 1817, Mississippi became the 20th state to join the Union. Nicknamed "The Magnolia State," Mississippi changed its state flag earlier this year. It replaced the "Confederate Battle Flag," which was placed in the upper left hand corner of the MS state flag from 1894 to 2021, with the star-encircled magnolia flower shown above.
Before reciting the Pledge, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across the USA, from Dec. 5th until sunset on Sat., Dec. 11th, to honor former Senator Robert "Bob" Dole.
[NOTE: THE NATIONAL HALF-STAFF HONORING BOB DOLE HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY THE PRESIDENT UNTIL SUNSET ON SATURDAY, DEC. 11th]
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across the USA, from Dec. 5th until sunset on Sat., Dec. 11th, to honor former Senator Robert "Bob" Dole.
[NOTE: THE NATIONAL HALF-STAFF HONORING BOB DOLE HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY THE PRESIDENT UNTIL SUNSET ON SATURDAY, DEC. 11th]
Keep SCROLLING down to review the Half-Staff alerts details and honoree pics
State-Targeted Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS
- a subscriber-only service from the Flag Steward nonprofit
- a subscriber-only service from the Flag Steward nonprofit
GO / CLICK HERE
to get a one-time, LIFETIME subscription for STATE-TARGETED Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS (just $5 donation).
to get a one-time, LIFETIME subscription for STATE-TARGETED Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS (just $5 donation).
And, now it's time to do the Pledge of Allegiance.
Students across America, informed of Mississippi's birthdate and recent improvement to its state flag, please join each other in reciting the Pledge.
Thanks for being part of today's Pre-Pledge Tribute.
Now, go out and be a 'Stud Citizen' - a more informed, inspired, respectful student-citizen.
Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for December 10
*** Reminder: The Flag orders, by government officials (President, Governor, etc.) are for flags at government facilities within that official's jurisdiction. Citizens are encouraged, but not required to follow the orders.
*** Reminder: The Flag orders, by government officials (President, Governor, etc.) are for flags at government facilities within that official's jurisdiction. Citizens are encouraged, but not required to follow the orders.
National Half-Staff for former Senator Robert "Bob" Dole
The U.S. Flag is HALF-STAFF across the USA and its territories, from the evening of Sun., Dec. 5 until sunset on Sat., Dec. 11, as a mark of respect for Robert Joseph Dole, a statesman like few in our history and a war hero among the greatest of the Greatest Generation.
[NOTE: On Thu., Dec. 9th, the President extended this National Half-Staff until sunset on Sat., 12/11]
The U.S. Flag is HALF-STAFF across the USA and its territories, from the evening of Sun., Dec. 5 until sunset on Sat., Dec. 11, as a mark of respect for Robert Joseph Dole, a statesman like few in our history and a war hero among the greatest of the Greatest Generation.
[NOTE: On Thu., Dec. 9th, the President extended this National Half-Staff until sunset on Sat., 12/11]
Half-Staff orders concurrent with the National Half-Staff
All (U.S. & State) Flags across St. Louis County, MISSOURI (MO: Dec. 10): Missouri's Governor ordered all Flags atop all government / public facilities in St. Louis County to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Fri., Dec.9, in honor of Detective Antonio Antoine Valentine, who died in the line of duty. GO HERE to read the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future US President & Missouri Governor Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future US President & Missouri Governor Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across ARKANSAS (AR: Dec. 8 - TBD): Arkansas' Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, on Wed., Dec. 8, until sunset on the date of his interment (TBD), in tribute to the memory of Fire Chief Wes Adams of the Sedgwick Fire Department in Lawrence County, who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 7, 2021. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Arkansas Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Arkansas Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All (U.S. & State) Flags at Brewster County government / public facilities, and the State of Texas Flag at DPS (Department of Public Safety) facilities in this region of TEXAS (TX: til Dec. 13): TX's Governor ordered the State of Texas Flag regionally at all DPS facilities, and then, all Flags atop Brewster County government / public facilities [and, individuals, businesses, municipalities, and other political subdivisions and entities in the surrounding area and region may fly flags at half-staff for the same period as a sign of honor and respect ] to half-staff until sunset on Mon., Dec. 13, the date of his funeral and interment, in honor of the life and public service of Fire Chief and Director of Alpine EMS Michael Lane Scudder who died while responding to an emergency call. GO HERE to see the Governor's order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in TX and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in TX and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
All (U.S. & State) Flags across Wilcox County, ALABAMA (AL: Dec. 2 - 12): Alabama's Governor ordered all Flags at government / public facilities in Wilcox County to half-staff until sunset on Sun., Dec. 12, the date of his interment, to honor retired Deputy Madison "Skip" Nicholson, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Dec. 1st. GO HERE to read the Governor's Flag order. A statewide order on the date of his interment is forthcoming.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future US President & Alabama Governor Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future US President & Alabama Governor Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across MICHIGAN (MI: Nov. 30 - Dec. 12): At approximately, 5:30pm EST, on Tue., Nov. 30, Michigan's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff immediately until sunset on Sun., Dec. 12, to honor and remember the victims of the shooting at Oxford High School in Oakland County.. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Michigan Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Michigan Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
All (U.S. & State) Flags across ALABAMA (AL: Dec. 12): Alabama's Governor ordered all Flags at government / public facilities across the state to half-staff, from sunrise until sunset on Sun., Dec. 12, the date of his interment, to honor retired Deputy Madison "Skip" Nicholson, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Dec. 1st. GO HERE to read the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future US President & Alabama Governor Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future US President & Alabama Governor Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
GO CLICK HERE to see the completed National and State Half-Staff Orders for 2021
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Then, check out Flag Steward's home decor pillows and much more.
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Half-Staff Flag Etiquette (Procedures):
Flag-raising at sunrise = hoist the Flags to full staff, then lower slowly, respectfully to half-staff
Flag-lowering at sunset = hoist Flags up from half-staff back to full-staff, then lower slowly, respectfully all the way down for removal
Flag-raising at sunrise = hoist the Flags to full staff, then lower slowly, respectfully to half-staff
Flag-lowering at sunset = hoist Flags up from half-staff back to full-staff, then lower slowly, respectfully all the way down for removal
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Have a better Flag Steward experience by Installing the Flag Steward App
- relaying the MOST ACCURATE and COMPLETE DAILY HALF-STAFF alerts, historical reminders, inspirational quotes & images, and iHonor American Flag fallen Patriot tributes
GO HERE to get Flag Steward App
Have a better Flag Steward experience by Installing the Flag Steward App
- relaying the MOST ACCURATE and COMPLETE DAILY HALF-STAFF alerts, historical reminders, inspirational quotes & images, and iHonor American Flag fallen Patriot tributes
GO HERE to get Flag Steward App
CLICK HERE to review the completed / archived half-staff alerts for 2020
US Flag Retirement & Disposal / Recycling Program (Short Survey):
Flag Steward is planning to solve another common US Flag owner question and problem.
How to properly retire and dispose of / recycle a US Flag?
Please, GO CLICK HERE to take a quick, 5 short questions survey to help Flag Steward decide if there's enough interest to enable this new Flag care program.
[ Note: Picture by S. Sweeney of horribly neglected US Flag found in front of a house in Greeley, CO in 2017. Flag Steward pulled over, took down the Flag and replaced it with a new one - no questions asked. ]
Flag Steward is planning to solve another common US Flag owner question and problem.
How to properly retire and dispose of / recycle a US Flag?
Please, GO CLICK HERE to take a quick, 5 short questions survey to help Flag Steward decide if there's enough interest to enable this new Flag care program.
[ Note: Picture by S. Sweeney of horribly neglected US Flag found in front of a house in Greeley, CO in 2017. Flag Steward pulled over, took down the Flag and replaced it with a new one - no questions asked. ]
Don't be bashful. Showcase your pride as a Caretaker of Our Flag, a Flag Steward.
GO / CLICK HERE to check out the first set of Flag Steward tees - available via 'Flag Steward Goods' (store) powered by Shopify
GO / CLICK HERE to check out the first set of Flag Steward tees - available via 'Flag Steward Goods' (store) powered by Shopify
Stars & Stripes Flag Etiquette:
The U.S. Flag Code:
provides Our Flag's Rules and Regulations (CLICK HERE for full details)
[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.