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 of Highlands Ranch's iconic windmill at sunrise (and moonset time) in Dec. 2020 ]
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 Highlands Ranch's iconic windmill at sunrise (and moonset time) in Dec. 2020 ]

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 Friday, Jan. 14th
for Friday, Jan. 14th
[ public domain image of Mark Goodson ]
On this date, Jan. 14th of 1915, Mark Goodson was born, of Russian emigrants, in Sacramento, CA. So how was Mark Goodson's work significant in American history? Well, his creative mind and leadership helped establish some of America's most entertaining and popular television game shows - including Family Feud and The Price is Right. And, thankfully, Goodson and his partner, Bill Todman, were men of integrity, so their clean, honest contest shows survived the quiz show scandals of the 1950s. Even, the explosion of more popular game shows in the 1960s and 70s, was propelled by folks that were employed by and learned from Goodson - like Merv Griffin, who created Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
On this date, Jan. 14th of 1915, Mark Goodson was born, of Russian emigrants, in Sacramento, CA. So how was Mark Goodson's work significant in American history? Well, his creative mind and leadership helped establish some of America's most entertaining and popular television game shows - including Family Feud and The Price is Right. And, thankfully, Goodson and his partner, Bill Todman, were men of integrity, so their clean, honest contest shows survived the quiz show scandals of the 1950s. Even, the explosion of more popular game shows in the 1960s and 70s, was propelled by folks that were employed by and learned from Goodson - like Merv Griffin, who created Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
Before reciting the Pledge, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff today, Friday, Jan. 14th.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across Alaska, Wisconsin, and Arkansas.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across Alaska, Wisconsin, and Arkansas.
Keep SCROLLING down to review the Half-Staff alerts details and honoree pics, as well as any UPCOMING national and state Half-Staff alerts.
National and 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 NATIONAL and STATE-TARGETED Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS (just $5 tax-deductible donation).
to get a one-time, LIFETIME subscription for NATIONAL and 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 creative Americans, like Goodson, 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 14
*** 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 ALASKA (AK: Jan. 14): Alaska's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Fri., Jan. 14, in honor of former AK / State Representative Jules Wright. 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 Alaska 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 Alaska Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]

All Flags across WISCONSIN (WI: Jan. 14): Wisconsin's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Fri., Jan. 14, the date of his interment (burial), in honor of Captain Brian Busch of the Mineral Point Fire Department, who passed away on Jan. 6, 2022, in the line of duty. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order. NOTE: Firefighter Jim Ludlum also died in the emergency vehicle crash with Busch, and was honored with a statewide half-staff on Wed., Jan. 12th.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]

STATE of Virginia (Commonwealth) Flags atop the State Capitol and in the city of Winchester, VIRGINIA (VA: Jan. 14): Virginia's Governor ordered STATE of VA (Commonwealth) Flags atop the State Capitol and government /public facilities in the City of Winchester, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Fri., Jan. 14, in respect and memory of former Virginia State Senator Harry Russell “Russ” Potts, Jr.. 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 & Virginia 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 & Virginia Governor Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]

All Flags across ARKANSAS (AR: Jan. 10 - 14): Arkansas' Governor, at approximately 6pm CST on Mon., Jan. 10, ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff until sunset on Fri., Jan. 14, the date of his memorial service and interment, in tribute to the memory of former Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard Major General (Retired) Harold Gwatney. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order. GO HERE to read Gwatney's obituary and funeral details.
Upcoming Half-Staffs

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 ]
Looking for All-American holiday gifts?
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Then, check out Flag Steward's home decor pillows and much more.
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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:
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.