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 Flag Steward HQ flagpole with a colorful sunset backdrop from last week - Feb. 2022 ]
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 Flag Steward HQ flagpole with a colorful sunset backdrop from last week - Feb. 2022 ]
[ 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 Wednesday, Feb. 23rd
for Wednesday, Feb. 23rd
[ public domain image of WEB Du Bois in 1918 ]
On this date, Feb. 23rd of 1968, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, who went on to become a famous author and civil rights activist, was born in Massachusetts. W.E.B. grew up in an integrated, tolerant community that respected racial differences. He was the first African-American to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University and was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909.
Back in 1897 he insightfully wrote in "Striving of the Negro People":
Between me and the other world there is ever an unasked question: ... How does it feel to be a problem? ... One ever feels his two-ness, – an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder ... He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face.
On this date, Feb. 23rd of 1968, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, who went on to become a famous author and civil rights activist, was born in Massachusetts. W.E.B. grew up in an integrated, tolerant community that respected racial differences. He was the first African-American to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University and was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909.
Back in 1897 he insightfully wrote in "Striving of the Negro People":
Between me and the other world there is ever an unasked question: ... How does it feel to be a problem? ... One ever feels his two-ness, – an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder ... He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face.
Before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff today, Wednesday, Feb. 23rd.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across New York City, throughout Iowa, at the State Capitol Complex of Michigan, and in parts of Ohio.
The U.S. Flag is at half-staff across New York City, throughout Iowa, at the State Capitol Complex of Michigan, and in parts of Ohio.
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, inspired by civil rights activists, like WEB DuBois, who pursued "liberty and justice for all," 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 23
*** 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 IOWA (IA: Feb. 23): Iowa's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Wed., Feb. 23, the date of his interment, to honor fallen Army Private First Class (PFC) Don D. Dowler Jr. of Clarinda, Iowa. Dowler was accounted for in September of 2021. He was reported as a Korean War missing in action in December of 1950 after his unit was attacked near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. 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 Iowa 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 Iowa Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags atop the State Capitol Complex, MICHIGAN (MI: Feb. 23): Michigan's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at the State Capitol Complex to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Wed., Feb. 23, the date of his interment , in honor of former state Representative Woodrow Stanley. 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 Michigan 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 Michigan Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
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.
All (US & State) Flags atop Statehouse and across Jefferson County, OHIO (OH: Feb. 22 - TBD) OH Governor ordered all Flags atop the Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, the Rhodes State Office Tower, and across Jefferson County (and all other public buildings across the state may join at their discretion) to half-staff on Tue., Feb. 22 until sunset on the date of his interment (TBD), in honor of the life and service of Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla. 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 ALASKA (AK: Feb. 28): Alaska's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Mon., Feb. 28, the date to be determined (TBD), in honor of former Alaska State Senator George Silides. 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 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
