[ Header / top pic by SSweeney of small US Flag posted on Flag Steward HQ fenceline with Longs Peak in distance = taken Dec. 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 Tuesday, December 20th.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders for all flags across Georgia and parts of Ohio. And, the State Flag of Mississippi is at half-staff as well.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders for all flags across Georgia and parts of Ohio. And, the State Flag of Mississippi is at half-staff as well.
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 of South Carolina flag ]
On this date, December 20th of 1860, South Carolina became the first state to vote for and approve secession (leaving) from the United States of America because it wanted to keep slavery in place. Interestingly, South Carolina was the 8th state of the original 13 colonies to join the "Union" (aka the United States of America) by voting in favor of (ratify) the U.S. Constitution in 1788.
On this date, December 20th of 1860, South Carolina became the first state to vote for and approve secession (leaving) from the United States of America because it wanted to keep slavery in place. Interestingly, South Carolina was the 8th state of the original 13 colonies to join the "Union" (aka the United States of America) by voting in favor of (ratify) the U.S. Constitution in 1788.
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
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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).
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 December 20
*** 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.
STATE Flag of Mississippi across MISSISSIPPI (MS: Dec. 20): Mississippi's Governor ordered the STATE Flag of Mississippi at government / public facilities across the state to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue., Dec. 20, in remembrance of Coach Michael Charles "Mike" Leach, who leaves behind an incredible legacy as a husband, father, friend, and leader of young men. GO HERE to read the Governor's order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Mississippi 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 Mississippi Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All (US & State) Flags across GEORGIA (GA: Dec. 19 - TBD): Georgia's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at state / public buildings and grounds across Georgia, to half-staff until sunset on the date of his interment (TBD), in honor and memory of the Honorable Clyde L. Reese, Judge of the Georgia Courts of Appeal. 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 Georgia 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 Georgia Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All (US & State) Flags atop Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Officer Tower and across Cuyahoga County, OHIO (OH: Dec. 16 - 22) Ohio's Governor ordered all Flags atop the Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Officer Tower, and across Wyandot County (and all other public buildings across the state may join at their discretion) to half-staff, immediately on Fri., Dec. 16, until sunset on Thu., Dec. 22, the date of his funeral, in honor of the life and service of Wyandot County Sheriff's Deputy Daniel Kin. CLICK HERE to see the Governor's Flag order. GO HERE for info on his funeral.
[ 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
GO CLICK HERE to see the completed National and State Half-Staff Orders for 2022
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.