[ Header / top pic by SSweeney of Flag Steward HQ view to the west in Feb. 2021 ]
[ Citizens read on ... while students can perform and/or listen to their teacher read the daily 'Half-Staff alerts and Lessons from Our Flag' text below in RED ]
[ Citizens read on ... while students can perform and/or listen to their teacher read the daily 'Half-Staff alerts and Lessons from Our Flag' text below in RED ]
Welcome to today's Half-Staff Alerts and Lessons from Our Flag for Thursday, February 9th.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders across Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders across Massachusetts 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 'Lesson from Our Flag' text in RED ]
During this Black History Month, we highlight that today's Lesson from Our Flag recalls ...
[ public domain image of 93rd Infantry Division moving through jungle in South Pacific ]
On this date, February 9th of 1943, the Battle of Guadalcanal ended. This World War II conflict in the Pacific lasted 6 months. 2,000 American GIs and 9,000 Japanese soldiers were killed during this long battle. An important unit within this battle was 93rd Infantry Division - a segregated, African-American force of 16,000. This division was the first African-American set of troops to see action in World War II. The 93rd Infantry Division didn't see much infantry fighting action. These black soldiers served mainly as a construction personnel - building the airfields that would enable America to devastatingly bomb Japanese held islands.
On this date, February 9th of 1943, the Battle of Guadalcanal ended. This World War II conflict in the Pacific lasted 6 months. 2,000 American GIs and 9,000 Japanese soldiers were killed during this long battle. An important unit within this battle was 93rd Infantry Division - a segregated, African-American force of 16,000. This division was the first African-American set of troops to see action in World War II. The 93rd Infantry Division didn't see much infantry fighting action. These black soldiers served mainly as a construction personnel - building the airfields that would enable America to devastatingly bomb Japanese held islands.
And, now it's time to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Students across the USA, 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 more informed, inspired, respectful student-citizen.
Now, go out and be a more informed, inspired, respectful student-citizen.
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 February 9
*** 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: Feb. 9) Massachusetts' Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset Thu., Feb. 9, the date of his interment, in honor of United States Navy Petty Officer Matthew Capeless, of Dracut, MA, who passed away on January 24, 2023. 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 across PENNSYLVANIA (PA: Feb. 7 - TBD): Pennslyvania's Governor ordered all flags at all state / public / government facilities across the state to half-staff until sunset on the date of his interment (TBD), to honor McKeesport Officer-Patrolman Sean Sluganski, who was shot in the line of duty. 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
All Flags atop State Capitol of SOUTH DAKOTA (SD: Feb. 11): South Dakota's Governor ordered all flags atop the SD State Capitol to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Sat., Feb. 11, in honor of former State Senator Frank Simpson. CLICK HERE to read about the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future South Dakota 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 South Dakota Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
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:
[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
