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 Monday, Feb. 21st
for Monday, Feb. 21st
[ public domain image of view from Iwo Jima Memorial toward Washington Monument and US Capitol ]
Today is Presidents' Day.
But, the official name is still Washington's Birthday. What?!
Presidents' Day started as a holiday named "Washington's Birthday." And, according to United States Congressional records, it still has NOT officially been changed to Presidents' Day. The majority of states passed their own laws to rename and promote the holiday as Presidents Day on their own. But, not surprisingly, it wasn't until the 1980s, when national advertisers started promoting Presidents Day specials, that it stuck in the minds of Americans.
So, it's appropriate that ... on this date, Feb. 21st of 1885, the Washington Monument was dedicated.
Today is Presidents' Day.
But, the official name is still Washington's Birthday. What?!
Presidents' Day started as a holiday named "Washington's Birthday." And, according to United States Congressional records, it still has NOT officially been changed to Presidents' Day. The majority of states passed their own laws to rename and promote the holiday as Presidents Day on their own. But, not surprisingly, it wasn't until the 1980s, when national advertisers started promoting Presidents Day specials, that it stuck in the minds of Americans.
So, it's appropriate that ... on this date, Feb. 21st of 1885, the Washington Monument was dedicated.
Today we celebrate Washington's Birthday (aka Presidents Day).
Before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff today, Monday, Feb. 21st.
There are no statewide half-staff orders today. But, the U.S. Flag is at half-staff within every borough of New York City for a fallen firefighter.
[ Note: At about 6:30am MST on Mon, Feb. 21, the staff for Nebraska's Governor sent out an outdated National Half-Staff order for MN's Jim Hagedorn (GO HERE to see it). The national half-staff for US Rep Hagedorn was late on Friday, from 4pm EST to midnight, per the US Flag Code to fly a national half-staff for 1-day for a Congressman who dies while in office. ]
Before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff today, Monday, Feb. 21st.
There are no statewide half-staff orders today. But, the U.S. Flag is at half-staff within every borough of New York City for a fallen firefighter.
[ Note: At about 6:30am MST on Mon, Feb. 21, the staff for Nebraska's Governor sent out an outdated National Half-Staff order for MN's Jim Hagedorn (GO HERE to see it). The national half-staff for US Rep Hagedorn was late on Friday, from 4pm EST to midnight, per the US Flag Code to fly a national half-staff for 1-day for a Congressman who dies while in office. ]
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, in honor of today's celebration of Washington's birthday, 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
- 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).
Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for February 21
*** 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 - 23) 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 Wed., Feb. 23, the date of his interment, 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.
Upcoming Half-Staffs
All Flags atop State Capitol of CALIFORNIA (CA: Feb. 22): CA Governor ordered all Flags atop State Capitol, in a memo posted to Governor's website on Sun., Feb. 20, to half-staff, without a specific date/time set by the Governor, so assumedly Capitol staff enabling on Tue., Feb. 22, the next business day / after Monday's holiday, in honor of Huntington Beach Police Department Officer Nicholas Vella, who died in an on-duty helicopter crash off Newport Beach on Sat., Feb. 19. CLICK HERE to read the Gov.'s Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future California 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 California Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across UTAH (UT: Feb. 22) Utah's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue., Feb. 22, the date of his interment, "in recognition of the life and legacy of US Air Force Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen, whose courage and compassion inspired generations both across the United States and abroad," 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 Utah 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 Utah Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across MASSACHUSETTS (MA: Feb. 22) Massachusetts' Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue., Feb. 22, the date of his interment, in honor of United States Army Specialist Huguens Pierre, of Worcester, MA, who passed away on February 5, 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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
