[ Header / top pic by SSweeney of small flag in front of Lost Lake in Indian Peaks Wilderness (Boulder, CO) in Sep. 2020 ]
[ Citizens read on ... while students can perform and/or listen to their teacher read the daily 'Half-Staff alerts and Pre-Pledge Tribute' text below in RED ]
[ Citizens read on ... while students can perform and/or listen to their teacher read the daily 'Half-Staff alerts and Pre-Pledge Tribute' text below in RED ]
Welcome to today's Half-Staff Alerts and Pre-Pledge Tribute for Thursday, September 8th.
There are half-staff orders across Louisiana and Pennsylvania.
There are half-staff orders across Louisiana and Pennsylvania.
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 ...
[ public domain image from 1899 of students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance ]
Happy Birthday to the Pledge of Allegiance!
On this date, September 8th of 1892, the Pledge of Allegiance was first published in the Youth's Campanion magazine. Written by Francis Bellamy, the Pledge was part of a planned tribute to the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America. Back then, it stated:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
At the National Flag Conference in 1923, the Pledge was altered to say, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Then in 1942, Congress approved and formally adopted the Pledge and requested citizens place their right hand over their heart instead of the doing the original, now Nazi-like, 'Bellamy salute.'
And, lastly, on Flag Day in 1954, President Eisenhower insisted and Congress approved the addition of "under God" to the Pledge.
So, the Pledge of Allegiance version we state today, was last edited in 1954 and states:
"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."
Happy Birthday to the Pledge of Allegiance!
On this date, September 8th of 1892, the Pledge of Allegiance was first published in the Youth's Campanion magazine. Written by Francis Bellamy, the Pledge was part of a planned tribute to the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America. Back then, it stated:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
At the National Flag Conference in 1923, the Pledge was altered to say, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Then in 1942, Congress approved and formally adopted the Pledge and requested citizens place their right hand over their heart instead of the doing the original, now Nazi-like, 'Bellamy salute.'
And, lastly, on Flag Day in 1954, President Eisenhower insisted and Congress approved the addition of "under God" to the Pledge.
So, the Pledge of Allegiance version we state today, was last edited in 1954 and states:
"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."
National and State-Targeted Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS
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Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for September 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.

All Flags across LOUISIANA (LA: until Sep. 10): Louisiana's Governor will order all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state to half-staff, until sunset on Sat., Sep. 10, in honor of former New Orleans Mayor Maurice Edwin "Moon" Landrieu, who served from 1970-78. 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]

All (US & State) Flags across PENNSYLVANIA (PA: Aug. 30 - TBD): PA's Governor ordered all flags at all state / public / government facilities across the state to half-staff, immediately on Tue., Aug. 30, until sunset on the date of her interment (TBD), in honor of Pennsylvania National Guard Private Alyssa Cahoon of Wayne County, who died Thursday, August 25, 2022 while doing military training. CLICK HERE to see the Flag order info.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in Pennsylvania and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in Pennsylvania and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
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.