6/25-7/1 Pre-Pledge

Good morning, USA!!!
Welcome to this week's
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Pre-Pledge Ceremony
for the week of June 25 to July 1, 2017

READ THE CEREMONY SCRIPT IN BIG BOLD BELOW
[Note: You're welcome to play 'Armed Forces Medley', performed by the U.S. Army Field Band, in the background to enhance today's ceremony experience]

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

No school! It's summer time. [public domain image]

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

"... with liberty and justice for all" are the closing words of our Pledge. But, America doesn't let the Pledge and its ideals end at its own border.

During this week, we remember three events on two significant dates that propelled America as a force for freedom around the world. After three years of watching from afar, America couldn't standby watching the liberties of people in central and western Europe be taken away anymore. So, on June 26 of 1917, the first American forces landed in France to join the Allied Forces fight against the German Empire during World War I. Then again, on June 26 of 1918, American warriors defeated the Germans at the Battle of Belleau Wood - the turning point to end the Great War and the most significant battle beyond America's border at that time. And, finally, on June 28, 1919, Germany and the Allied Powers (Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States) signed the Treaty of Versailles - officially closing World War I and establishing the League of Nations to try and maintain peace.
America had enforced its beliefs in "... liberty and justice for all"

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN COMBATANT COMMEMORATION:

[Photo Credits: U.S. Navy and U.S. Army]

During this week, 12 years ago, on June 28th, 2005, was one of the worst days in Special Operations history.
During Operation Red Wings, a mission intended to stop the Taliban from interfering with the imminent Afghan elections, 19 sailors and soldiers were killed during combat action. The heroic actions of the Navy SEALs and Army Night Stalkers, who came to the rescue of an overwhelmed 4-man SEAL team in the Afghan mountains, were detailed in the book and re-enacted in the movie Lone Survivor.

We thank these sailors and soldiers for carrying out their duties to uphold the freedom of Americans and the Afghan people seeking liberty.

[To find out more about these soldiers, go here and/or here.]

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and make this Pledge of Allegiance more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells, like that of those Killed-in-Action during Operation Red Wings,
and all those who died defending our Constitution.

[No copyright: Image found on ThingLink.com]

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