Scroll down to see how the Flag Steward nonprofit, which Informed, Inspired, & Served more than 1.4 million unique users in 2021,
delivers the most accurate, honorable, and complete national, state, and local half-staff alerts and an informative / inspiring daily 'Pre-Pledge Tribute' for students to perform and all Americans to witness.
[ Top pic = SSweeney pic of US Flag atop Flag Steward HQ (Poppy's Memorial) flagpole with moon in background in Feb. 2020 ]
delivers the most accurate, honorable, and complete national, state, and local half-staff alerts and an informative / inspiring daily 'Pre-Pledge Tribute' for students to perform and all Americans to witness.
[ Top pic = SSweeney pic of US Flag atop Flag Steward HQ (Poppy's Memorial) flagpole with moon in background in Feb. 2020 ]
[ Students perform and/or listen to their teacher read the daily 'Pre-Pledge Tribute' text in RED ]
Welcome to today's Half-Staff Alerts and Pre-Pledge of Allegiance Tribute
for Tuesday, Feb. 15th
for Tuesday, Feb. 15th
[ public domain image of USS Maine entering Havana Harbot, Cuba, in January 1898 ]
"Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!"
On this date, Feb. 15th, in 1898, the USS Maine unexpectedly exploded and sunk - killing 268 sailors, three-quarters of the crew, aboard. The US newspapers, regularly sensationalizing stories to sell more papers, with headlines like, "Remember the Maine!" pinned the attack on Spain. Due to the rallying cry created by the newspapers, this attack was one of the actions that led to the start of the Spanish-American War in April, 1898.
"Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!"
On this date, Feb. 15th, in 1898, the USS Maine unexpectedly exploded and sunk - killing 268 sailors, three-quarters of the crew, aboard. The US newspapers, regularly sensationalizing stories to sell more papers, with headlines like, "Remember the Maine!" pinned the attack on Spain. Due to the rallying cry created by the newspapers, this attack was one of the actions that led to the start of the Spanish-American War in April, 1898.
Before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff today, Tuesday, Feb. 15th.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across Alaska and in Clark County, Indiana.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across Alaska and in Clark County, Indiana.
Keep SCROLLING down to review the Half-Staff alerts details and honoree pics, as well as any UPCOMING national and state Half-Staff alerts.
And, now it's time to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Students across America, informed of one of the main reasons we declared war on Spain in 1898, please, join each other in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thanks for being part of today's Pre-Pledge of Allegiance Tribute.
Now, go out and be a 'Stud Citizen' - a more informed, inspired, respectful student-citizen.
National and State-Targeted Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS
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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).
Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for February 15
*** 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: Feb. 15): Alaska's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue., Feb. 15, in honor of former Alaska Senator Johnny Ellis. 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 Clark County, INDIANA (IN: Feb. 15): Indiana's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities in Clark County, IN to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset, on Tue., Feb. 15, to honor the life of Deputy Chief Bruce DeArk of the Jeffersonville Fire Department, who died after a 4-year battle with cancer contracted 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 Indiana 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 Indiana Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
All Flags across WISCONSIN (WI: Feb. 16): Wisconsin's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Wed., Feb. 16, former Wisconsin State Sen. Joseph S. Leean. 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 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 ]
All Flags across ARIZONA (AZ: Feb. 17): Arizona's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Thu., Feb. 17, the date of her interment, in honor of Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Rosa Mroz, who passed away after succumbing to injuries in a traffic collision. 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 Arizona 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 Arizona Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across ALASKA (AK: TBD): Alaska's Governor ordered ALL (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on the date to be determined (TBD), in honor of former Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Craig Stowers. 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 ]
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
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.
Flag Steward (formerly known as Beacon of Honor and originally incorporated as GivingVu.org, Inc. in 2013) is a nonpartisan, student-inspired, Veteran-led 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Tax ID# 46-2457373
