6/18-24 Pre-Anthem

Good evening, USA!!!
Welcome to this week's
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Pre-Anthem Ceremony
for the week of June 18 to 24, 2017

READ THE CEREMONY SCRIPT IN BIG BOLD BELOW
[Note: You're welcome to play 'America, My Country 'Tis of Thee' in the background to enhance today's ceremony experience]

The 'Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag' ... to Inform and Inspire Citizens

Summer solistice is this week. June 20th will have the longest daylight of the year [Image credit: Sean S.]

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

U.S. Constitution [image credit: public domain]

During this week in 1788, the Constitution became our supreme law of the land. Like everything we've worked to attain in America, it wasn't easy to get 9 of the 13 states to approve the Constitution. It took a major compromise by Congress, guaranteeing that Amendments known as the Bill of Rights would be proposed immediately, to get the 9th and final state ratification, New Hampshire's, on June 21st of 1788.
So, today, we recite the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in honor of those that drafted it and fought for its approval:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN COMBATANT COMMEMORATION:

[Photo Credit: U.S. Navy]

We honor seven U.S. Navy sailors, who while not killed in combat action, were killed while on duty aboard the USS Fitzgerald last weekend.
These sailors were killed during a ship collision on June 17th in Tokyo Bay.

-Fire Controlman Carlos Victor Ganzon Sibayan, 23, from Chula Vista, CA
-Gunner's Mate Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, from Palmyra, VA
-Sonar Technician Ngoc T Truong Huynh, 25, from Oakville, CT
-Yeoman Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, from San Diego, CA
-Fire Controlman Gary Leo Rehm Jr., from Elyria, OH
-Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin, 24, from Halethorpe, MD
and
-Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Noe Hernandez, 26, from Weslaco, TX
We thank them for supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and carrying out their duties to uphold the freedom of Americans and all people seeking liberty around the world.

[Go here to learn more about these sailors (courtesy of Navy Times)]

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and make this National Anthem more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells, like that of these 7 sailors,
and all those who died defending our Constitution.

Only those Americans who are willing to die for their country are fit to live.
-Douglas MacArthur

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END OF CEREMONY
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Now, go be a good citizen!!!

... And, here are more music selections to use with your flag ceremony ...

[Cover of U.S. Government Publication]

The U.S. Flag Code:
provides Our Flag's Rules and Regulations

[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.

Content Sources & Credits:
Sources: Click here to see our Sources for content research
Credits: Unless otherwise noted here, photos displayed each day are public domain images, pictures by Sean Sweeney, or used by permission.

To learn more about the Beacon of Honor nonprofit project, go to http://BeaconOfHonor.org
SF