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 = SSweeney pic of Flag Steward mascots, Baylor and Lacy, at Flag Steward HQ ]
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 = SSweeney pic of Flag Steward mascots, Baylor and Lacy, at Flag Steward HQ ]
[ 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 = "The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor" by Nathaniel Currier, was an exaggerated drawing, made 100 years, after this 1773 event (only a few Colonists tried to disguise themselves as Native Americans) ]
On this date, December 16th of 1773, Boston's "Sons of Liberty" protested the recently created Tea Act from the British Parliament. They showed their disagreement with the British tax by tossing all the newly arrived tea imports into the water of the Boston harbor. These "Sons of Liberty," many of whom fought in the Revolutionary War and served in the Continental Congress, were upset that British rulers were taxing their tea without giving them a voice or vote in parliament. They called it "no taxation without representation."
On this date, December 16th of 1773, Boston's "Sons of Liberty" protested the recently created Tea Act from the British Parliament. They showed their disagreement with the British tax by tossing all the newly arrived tea imports into the water of the Boston harbor. These "Sons of Liberty," many of whom fought in the Revolutionary War and served in the Continental Congress, were upset that British rulers were taxing their tea without giving them a voice or vote in parliament. They called it "no taxation without representation."
Before reciting the Pledge, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff today, Thursday, Dec. 16th.
The U.S. Flag is only at half-staff across Kentucky - where it is honoring victims of the recent tornadoes.
The U.S. Flag is only at half-staff across Kentucky - where it is honoring victims of the recent tornadoes.
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 tax-deductible donation).
to get a one-time, LIFETIME subscription for STATE-TARGETED Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS (just $5 tax-deductible donation).
And, now it's time to do the Pledge of Allegiance.
Students across America, inspired by the Son's of Liberty who led the Boston Tea Party and proclaimed, "no taxation without represenetation. 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 16
*** 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.
Commonwealth (STATE) Flags in Union County, PENNSYLVANIA (OH: Dec. 14 - 20): Pennsylvania's Governor ordered Commonwealth (State) Flags at government / public facilities in Blair County, PA, to half-staff until sunset on Mon., Dec. 20, in honor of firefighter Tod “Cleever” Steese, of the Mifflinburg Fire Department, who died on Sunday, December 12, 2021. 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 & Pennsylvania 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 & Pennsylvania Governor Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across KENTUCKY (KY: Dec. 14 -20): Kentucky's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise on Tue., Dec. 14, to sunset on Mon., Dec. 20, in honor of the Kentuckians who were lost to or have been impacted by the tornado events of Friday night/Saturday morning, Dec. 10-11. 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
None known.
None known.
GO CLICK HERE to see the completed National and State Half-Staff Orders for 2021
Looking for All-American holiday gifts?
Then, check out Flag Steward's home decor pillows and much more.
Then, check out Flag Steward's home decor pillows and much more.
GO / CLICK HERE to visit the 'Flag Steward Goods' (store) powered by Shopify
HELP us improve FLAG STEWARD and its services.
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GO / CLICK HERE for the USER SURVEY
Please, take 2 minutes to complete this USER SURVEY, and get a 15% off coupon toward any item in our Flag Steward Goods (store).
GO / CLICK HERE for the USER SURVEY
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:
[Cover of U.S. Government Publication]
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.