7/2-7/8 Pre-Anthem

***Note: Before starting this ceremony, go see Today's Flag Status by reviewing this page. Then, memorize the state and/or states that are flying Our Flag at half-staff today, so you can quickly and easily state it within today's pre-Anthem ceremony script below.

Good afternoon/evening, USA!!!
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Pre-Anthem Ceremony
for the week of July 2 to July 8, 2017

READ THE CEREMONY SCRIPT IN BIG BOLD BELOW
[Note: You're welcome to play 'America the Beautiful', 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

[SSweeney image]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:
Our Flag flies at full staff across the USA, ...
[End it here or add more to this sentence if there are states at half-staff today] ...
[for 1 state at half-staff, state] ... , except in _______ (name the state) - where it flies at half-staff to pay tribute to an outstanding public servant of that state.
OR
[for 1 state at half-staff, state] ... , except in _______, ________, (name the states, if any) - where it flies at half-staff to pay tribute to outstanding public servants of those states.

Every Saturday, visit the Beacon of Honor service to learn more about the past week's state half-staff honorees.

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

Our Declaration of Independence is preserved and shown at the National Archives in Washington, DC [public domain image]

This week, we celebrate our 242nd Independence Day.
Of course, you know this celebration is due to our Declaration of Independence on July 4th of 1776. But, how much more do you know about this historic document and event?
Like ...

Is the term "Declaration of Independence" stated in the document? Yes or no?
<Pause for 3 seconds>

No - not anywhere in the document does it say, "Declaration of Independence". Instead it states, "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" at the top of the document

THIS WEEK'S COMBATANT KILLED IN ACTION (KIA) COMMEMORATION:

Corporal Michael Folland [U.S. Army image}

... is dedicated to US Army Corporal Michael Fleming Folland, whose extraordinary heroism cost him his life on July 3, 1969 while on a recon patrol in Vietnam. He and his commander were attempting to destroy an enemy machine gun nest when a grenade landed in their position. Cpl Folland then threw himself on the grenade to save his commander and other comrades nearby. For risking his life above and beyond the call of duty, he received the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Install the 'PlaceApp' and connect to the Beacon of Honor service to read Corporal Folland's full Medal of Honor citation.
[or go here]

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 Corporal Michael Folland,
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