[ SSweeney pic at Flag Steward HQ in March 2020 ]
[ 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 Monday, March 20th.
There is a Governor-directed half-staff order for all flags across New Jersey.
There is a Governor-directed half-staff order for all flags across New Jersey.
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 ]
Today's Lesson from Our Flag recalls ...
[ public domain image collage of Iraq War photos ]
20 years ago today...
On this date, March 20th of 2003, the Iraq War began. The U.S. military led a coaliton of forces from the UK, Australia, and Poland by launching a "shock and awe" bombing of Iraqi forces. The swift overwhelming attack forced the collapse of the oppressive Iraq Ba'athist government and capture of its ruthless leader Saddam Hussein.
20 years ago today...
On this date, March 20th of 2003, the Iraq War began. The U.S. military led a coaliton of forces from the UK, Australia, and Poland by launching a "shock and awe" bombing of Iraqi forces. The swift overwhelming attack forced the collapse of the oppressive Iraq Ba'athist government and capture of its ruthless leader Saddam Hussein.
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).
Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for March 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.

All Flags across NEW JERSEY (NJ: Mar. 16 - 23): New Jersey's Governor ordered all flags at state / public facilities across NJ to half-staff until sunset, on Thu., Mar. 23, in honor and remembrance of former State Senator Ronald Rice, who served from 1986 to 2022. CLICK HERE to read the Gov.'s Flag order.
[ Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.