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's US Flag at half-staff in March 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's US Flag at half-staff in March 2021 ]
[ 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 Friday, Apr. 1st
for Friday, Apr. 1st
[ public domain image of US Air Force Academy cadets in 1955 ]
On this date, April 1st of 1954, President Eisenhower approved creation of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. The campus wouldn't be ready to host and house cadets until 1958, so the first cadet class started training in Denver at Lowry Air Force Base in the summer of 1955.
The academy's mission is "to educate, train, and inspire men and women to become leaders of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation." The Air Force Academy (AFA) is the youngest of the 5 service academies. Graduates of the AFA receive a Bachelor of Science college degree and are commissioned as officers, Second Lieutenants, in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force.
On this date, April 1st of 1954, President Eisenhower approved creation of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. The campus wouldn't be ready to host and house cadets until 1958, so the first cadet class started training in Denver at Lowry Air Force Base in the summer of 1955.
The academy's mission is "to educate, train, and inspire men and women to become leaders of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation." The Air Force Academy (AFA) is the youngest of the 5 service academies. Graduates of the AFA receive a Bachelor of Science college degree and are commissioned as officers, Second Lieutenants, in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force.
Before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, we must observe where the U.S. Flag is at half-staff today, Friday, Apr. 1st.
There is a new half-staff in Massachusetts. The US Flag is at half-staff across Massachusetts for a US Navy sailor, in parts of Ohio for a fallen police officer, and throughout Alaska to honor US Representative Don Young.
There is a new half-staff in Massachusetts. The US Flag is at half-staff across Massachusetts for a US Navy sailor, in parts of Ohio for a fallen police officer, and throughout Alaska to honor US Representative Don Young.
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 the women and men who challenge themselves to becoming future leaders of the US Air Force and US Space Force by attending the US Air Force Academy, 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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- a subscriber-only service from the Flag Steward nonprofit
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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 April 1
*** 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 MASSACHUSETTS (MA: Apr. 1) Massachusetts' Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Fri., Apr. 1, the date of his interment, in honor of United States Navy Petty Officer Francis D. Joseph, formerly of Springfield, MA, who passed away on March 8, 2022 in Panama City, FL. 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 (US & State) Flags atop Statehouse and across Allen and Hancock Counties, OHIO (OH: Mar. 31 - TBD) OH Governor ordered all Flags atop the Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, the Rhodes State Office Tower, and across Allen and Hancock Counties (and all other public buildings across the state may join at their discretion) to half-staff, at approximately noon on Thu., Mar. 31 until sunset on the date of his interment (TBD), in honor of the life and service of Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis, who was killed in the line of duty. 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 ]
All Flags across ALASKA (AK: til Apr. 2): Alaska's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff until sunset on Sat., Apr. 2, the date of his memorial service, in honor of U.S. Representative / Congressman Don Young of Alaska. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order. Note: AK's Governor initially called for a half-staff on the date of interment (burial) of Young when posted on Mar. 18th. But, then, the Governor's staff went back and changed the original press release to state "immediately until interment" sometime on Mon., Mar. 21. Also, US Rep. Young will lie in state at the US Capitol building on Tue., Mar. 29.
[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 ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
All Flags in Fond du Lac County, WISCONSIN (WI: TBD): Wisconsin's Governor approved and ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities in Fond du Lac County, to half-staff, "beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset on dates to be determined (TBD) by Fond du Lac officials", as a mark of respect for Fond du Lac County Executive Allen J. Buechel. 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 ]
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
