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 and state half-staff alerts and an informative / inspiring daily 'Pre-Pledge of Allegiance Tribute' for students / citizens to perform and all Americans to witness.
[ Header / top pic by SSweeney at Flag Steward HQ on July 7, 2022 - during National Half-Staff for Highland Park Independence Day Parade shooting victims ]
delivers the most accurate, honorable, and complete national and state half-staff alerts and an informative / inspiring daily 'Pre-Pledge of Allegiance Tribute' for students / citizens to perform and all Americans to witness.
[ Header / top pic by SSweeney at Flag Steward HQ on July 7, 2022 - during National Half-Staff for Highland Park Independence Day Parade shooting victims ]
Welcome to today's Half-Staff Alerts for Friday, July 8th.
The U.S. Flag is half-staff across the USA for victims of the shooting tragedy in Highland Park, IL
The U.S. Flag is half-staff across the USA for victims of the shooting tragedy in Highland Park, IL
Keep SCROLLING down to review the Half-Staff alerts details and honoree pics, any UPCOMING national and state Half-Staff alerts, and info on our member-only half-staff and back-to-full-staff text alerts for your state and USA.
[ Students perform and/or listen to their teacher read the daily 'Pre-Pledge Tribute' text in RED ]
Today's Pre-Pledge Tribute recalls ...
[ First WAF (Women in the Air Force) squadron at Lackland AFB in 1948 = public domain images ]
On this date, July 8th of 1948, the US Air Force started to train its first female recruits through a program called "Women in Air Force (WAF)." The program was created in response to President Truman signing the Women's Armed Service Integrations Act - empowering women to join the military. Unfortunately, the WAF program only gave women limited roles in the US Air Force. For example, they were not allowed to become pilots; eventhough, women had flown during World War II. In 1976, WAF was ended because, finally then, women were allowed to join, train, and work in the US Air Force on an equal basis as men.
On this date, July 8th of 1948, the US Air Force started to train its first female recruits through a program called "Women in Air Force (WAF)." The program was created in response to President Truman signing the Women's Armed Service Integrations Act - empowering women to join the military. Unfortunately, the WAF program only gave women limited roles in the US Air Force. For example, they were not allowed to become pilots; eventhough, women had flown during World War II. In 1976, WAF was ended because, finally then, women were allowed to join, train, and work in the US Air Force on an equal basis as men.
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 July 8
*** 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. ***
NATIONAL HALF-STAFF on July 8 -10
On Friday, July 8, the President ordered, concurrent with and going one day beyond the ongoing National Half-Staff for the Highland Park Independence Day Parade shooting victims, all U.S. Flags to HALF-STAFF across the USA until sunset on Sun., July 10, as a mark of respect for the memory of Abe Shinzo, the former Prime Minister of Japan who was assassinated on Fri., July 8. Shinzo served as Japan's Prime Minister longer than anyone in Japan's history. GO CLICK HERE to see the President's Proclamation.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in your state and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
On Friday, July 8, the President ordered, concurrent with and going one day beyond the ongoing National Half-Staff for the Highland Park Independence Day Parade shooting victims, all U.S. Flags to HALF-STAFF across the USA until sunset on Sun., July 10, as a mark of respect for the memory of Abe Shinzo, the former Prime Minister of Japan who was assassinated on Fri., July 8. Shinzo served as Japan's Prime Minister longer than anyone in Japan's history. GO CLICK HERE to see the President's Proclamation.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in your state and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
NATIONAL HALF-STAFF on July 5 -9
The President ordered all U.S. Flags to HALF-STAFF across the USA immediately on Tue., July 5 until sunset on Sat., July 9, as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of gun violence perpetrated on our Independence Day, July 4, 2022, in Highland Park, Illinois, GO CLICK HERE to see the President's Proclamation.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in your state and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
The President ordered all U.S. Flags to HALF-STAFF across the USA immediately on Tue., July 5 until sunset on Sat., July 9, as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of gun violence perpetrated on our Independence Day, July 4, 2022, in Highland Park, Illinois, GO CLICK HERE to see the President's Proclamation.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in your state and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
Concurrent with the nationwide half-staff underway are these Governor-ordered half-staffs
All Flags across IOWA (IA: July 8): Iowa's Governor ordered, concurrent with the ongoing National Half-Staff, all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff on Fri., July 8, the date of his interment (burial), to honor Hugh Bell, a World War II pilot and funeral director from Shenandoah, Iowa, who passed away on June 2, 2022. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order.
[ Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order 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 and all future Iowa Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags in ALABAMA (AL: July 8): Alabama Governor ordered, concurrent with the ongoing National Half-Staff, all (U.S. & State) Flags at government/public facilities in AL to half-staff on Fri., July 8, in honor of Bibb County Sheriff's Deputy Brad Johnson, who was shot and killed 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 Alabama 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 Alabama Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
All Flags across IOWA (IA: July 9): Iowa's Governor ordered, concurrent with the ongoing National Half-Staff, all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff on Sat., July 9, the date of his funeral and interment (burial), to honor WWII U. S. Army Private First Class (PFC) Merl Holm of Lake City, Iowa, who was reported killed in action Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1942. His remains were just recently identified and brought home from New Guinea for a proper burial. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order. GO HERE to read more about Holm's military service and life via the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency report.
[ Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order 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 and all future Iowa Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across MASSACHUSETTS (MA: July 11) Massachusetts' Governor ordeed all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset, on Mon., July 11, the date of his interment, in honor of Massachusetts Army National Guard Colonel Brett Patrick Conaway, of Natick, MA, who passed away on June 29, 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 MICHIGAN (MI: TBD): Michigan's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at all government / public facilities across the state to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset, on the date of his interment or another date of his family's choosing, in honor of Detroit Police Department Officer Loren Courts. 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 Flags across IOWA (IA: July 11): Iowa's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset, on Mon., July 11, the date of his interment (burial), in honor and remembrance of Sergeant John Williams of the Coralville Police Department, who died as a result of a medical emergency while responding to a shooting on July 3. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order.
[ Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order 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 and all future Iowa Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All (U.S. & State) Flags across KANSAS (KS: July 12): Kansas' Governor ordered all flags at government / public state facilities in Kansas to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue., July 12. the date of his interment, in honor of Officer Mark Lamberson, a member of the Saint Marys Police Department, who died while on duty on July 2 CLICK HERE to see the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Kansas 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 Kansas 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
All Flags across ILLINOIS (IL: TBD): Illinois' Governor is expected to order all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise on TBD, until sunset, on TBD, in honor and remembrance of the victims of the Independence Day Parade shooting at Highland Park, IL. 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 Illinois 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 Illinois Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]