Scroll down to see how the Flag Steward nonprofit, which Informed, Inspired, & Served more than 1.4 million unique users in 2021,
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 at sunrise over Atlantic Ocean at Ponte Vedra Beach, FL in 2021]
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 at sunrise over Atlantic Ocean at Ponte Vedra Beach, FL in 2021]
Special 2021 End-of-Year Half-Staff Honorees Review:
GO / CLICK HERE to witness and honor America's (National & State) Half-Staff honorees for 2021
GO / CLICK HERE to witness and honor America's (National & State) Half-Staff honorees for 2021
[ 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
for Tuesday, Jan. 4th
for Tuesday, Jan. 4th
[ public domain pic by Nathaniel Orr ]
On this date, Jan. 4th of 1853, Solomon Northup, author of 12 Years a Slave, a national best seller, was free again. In 1841 while working as a musician in Washington, DC, Solomon was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Born to a freed slave father and mother in New York, it took Solomon 12 years to get ahold of his family and government officials in New York so they could get back his freedom.
On this date, Jan. 4th of 1853, Solomon Northup, author of 12 Years a Slave, a national best seller, was free again. In 1841 while working as a musician in Washington, DC, Solomon was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Born to a freed slave father and mother in New York, it took Solomon 12 years to get ahold of his family and government officials in New York so they could get back his freedom.
Before reciting the Pledge, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff today, Tuesday, Jan. 4th.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across Illinois for 2 first responder honorees, throughout South Carolina for a former State Senator, across Nevada for US Senator Reid (his home state), throughout Maryland for a fallen officer, and in Georgia for a former U.S. Senator.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across Illinois for 2 first responder honorees, throughout South Carolina for a former State Senator, across Nevada for US Senator Reid (his home state), throughout Maryland for a fallen officer, and in Georgia for a former U.S. Senator.
Keep SCROLLING down to review the Half-Staff alerts details and honoree pics
NOTE posted Wed., Dec. 29, at 1430 MST: There are number of Governors and others INCORRECTLY calling for a Half-Staff UNTIL the date of interment for former US Senator Harry Reid (except in Nevada, his home state). They have misread the President's order, which orders a National Half-Staff ON THE DAY of his interment (funeral / burial). See the highlight of the President's order below.
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 determination of Solomon Northup to regain his freedom, 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 January 4
*** 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.
All Flags across SOUTH CAROLINA (SC: Jan. 4): South Carolina's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue., Jan. 4, in honor of Peden Brown McLeod and in recognition of his extraordinary legacy and lifetime of service to the State of South Carolina, including as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate. 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across ILLINOIS (IL: Jan. 4 - 6): Illinois' Governor ordered, on 12/29/21, ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise Tue., Jan. 4 until sunset on Thu., Jan. 6, in honor and remembrance of Firefighter- EMT MaShawn Plummer of the Chicago Fire Department, who died in the line of duty. 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 Illinois 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 Illinois Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across ILLINOIS (IL: Jan. 4): Illinois' Governor ordered, on 1/3/22 - concurrent to the Half-Staff order for EMT Plummer, ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue., Jan. 4, in honor and remembrance of Wayne Countys Sheriff's Deputy Sean Riley, who was shot and killed in the line of duty. 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 Illinois 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 Illinois Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All (U.S. & State) Flags across NEVADA (NV: until TBD): Nevada Governor, unlike the President's national half-staff order for the date of his interment - probably because he's a native of Nevada, ordered all (U.S. & State) Flags at all state government / public facilities to half-staff until the date of his interment (TBD - Jan. 8?), in honor and remembrance of former U.S. Senator Harry Reid, a native of Nevada, and former Lieutenant Governor. CLICK HERE to see the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders by the Nevada Governor (and US President) = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders by the Nevada Governor (and US President) = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across MARYLAND (MD: Dec. 23 - Jan. 11): Maryland's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff until Tue., Jan. 11, the date of her interment, in honor of Officer Keona Holley of the Baltimore Police Department, who died today, December 23, 2021, after being critically injured in the line of duty on December 16, 2021. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order. GO HERE for info on her funeral.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Maryland 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 Maryland Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across GEORGIA (GA: Dec. 19 - Jan. 6): Georgia's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff until sunset on Thu., Jan. 6, the date of his interment, in honor of and as a mark of respect for former U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, who passed away on Dec. 19. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order. GO HERE to read about his funeral plans.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Georgia 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 Georgia Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
National Half-Staff for former U.S. Senator Harry Reid
On Wed., Dec. 29, the President issued a proclamation stating that the U.S. Flag WILL BE at HALF-STAFF across the USA and its territories, on the date of his interment (Jan. 8 = memorial service), as a mark of respect for Harry Reid, a former U.S. Senate Majority Leader.
[Note: To receive a Half-Staff and Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future U.S. President Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
On Wed., Dec. 29, the President issued a proclamation stating that the U.S. Flag WILL BE at HALF-STAFF across the USA and its territories, on the date of his interment (Jan. 8 = memorial service), as a mark of respect for Harry Reid, a former U.S. Senate Majority Leader.
[Note: To receive a Half-Staff and Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future U.S. President Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All (U.S. & State) Flags atop WV State Capitol Complex and across Wyoming County, WEST VIRGINIA (WV: TBD): West Virginia's Governor ordered all Flags at the WV State Capitol complex and at all state / public facilities in Wyoming County, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on the date of her interment (TBD), in commemoration of the distinguished life and service of former West Virginia State Senator Sue Cline. GO HERE to read the Governor's first Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future West Virginia 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 West Virginia Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across NAVAJO NATION (NN: Jan. 5): The Navajo Nation President ordered ALL Flags (Navajo Nation, U.S., State flags) at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Wed., Jan. 5, the date of his interment, in honor of Diné tribe member and U.S. Army veteran Brian Irvin Yazzie. CLICK HERE to read the Navajo Nation President's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Navajo Nation (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 Navajo Nation (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
State of Flag of Maryland across MARYLAND (MD: TBD): Concurrent with the half-staff order ongoing for BPD's Fallen Officer Holley, Maryland's Governor ordered the State Flag of MD at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff on the date of his interment (TBD), in honor of former State Senator Clyde Bernard Fowler, who passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021. Former State Senator Fowler represented Legislative District 29. 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 Maryland 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 Maryland Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
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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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- 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.