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 Thursday, Feb. 17th
for Thursday, Feb. 17th
[ wikipedia shared gif ]
On this date, Feb. 17th, of 1819, the US House of Representatives passed the first version of the Missouri Compromise. The Missouri Compromise was a federal law that set rules for the addition of new territories as US states regarding slavery being allowed or not allowed in those states. As a result of the compromise, Missouri was a admitted as a slave state and Maine as a free state. From then on, the lands of the remaining Louisiana Purchase, north of 36 degrees - 30 minutes latitude, would be free (no slavery) states.
On this date, Feb. 17th, of 1819, the US House of Representatives passed the first version of the Missouri Compromise. The Missouri Compromise was a federal law that set rules for the addition of new territories as US states regarding slavery being allowed or not allowed in those states. As a result of the compromise, Missouri was a admitted as a slave state and Maine as a free state. From then on, the lands of the remaining Louisiana Purchase, north of 36 degrees - 30 minutes latitude, would be free (no slavery) states.
Before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff today, Thursday, Feb. 17th.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across Maryland, in parts of Ohio, and throughout New York City.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across Maryland, in parts of Ohio, and throughout New York City.
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, with a new understanding of how the U.S. Congress handled slavery as states were added in the west - continuing us on a path to the American Civil War, 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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Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for February 17
*** 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 (US & State) Flags in New York City, NEW YORK (NY: Feb. 17 - TBD) New York City Mayor, assumedly with approval and authority of the NY Governor ordered ALL Flags atop city government / public facilities to half-staff, immediately on Thu., Feb. 17, until sunset on the date of his interment (TBD), as a mark of respect for Firefighter Jesse Gerhard of Ladder Company 134, who died in the line of duty. CLICK HERE to see the Flag order.

All Flags across MARYLAND (MD: Feb. 17): Maryland's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, at approximately 9pmEST tonight, Wed., Feb. 16, to half-staff until sunset on Thu., Feb. 17, the date of his interment, in honor of EMT Wayne Fisher of the Harford County Fire and EMS Foundation, assigned to Darlington Volunteer Fire Company, who died in the line of duty on February 6, 2022. 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 ]

All (US & State) Flags atop Statehouse and across Medina County, OHIO (OH: Feb. 16 - 18) OH Governor ordered, via email at 1:34pm EST, Feb. 16, all Flags atop the Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, the Rhodes State Office Tower, and across Medina County (and all other public buildings across the state may join at their discretion) to half-staff on Wed., Feb. 16 until sunset on Fri., Feb. 18 , the dates of his funeral, in honor of the life and service of former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. 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 Ohio Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
[ Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Ohio Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs

All Flags across ARIZONA (AZ: Feb. ???): Arizona's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on ???(TBD), 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:
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.