7/9-7/15 Pre-Pledge

***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-Pledge ceremony script below.

Good morning, USA!!!
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Pre-Pledge Ceremony
for the week of July 9 to July 15, 2017

READ THE CEREMONY SCRIPT IN BIG BOLD BELOW
[Note: You're welcome to play 'America, My Country 'Tis of Thee', 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

Oklahoma state capitol building [public domain 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:

14th Amendment [public domain image]

"... with liberty and justice for all"

During this week in 1868, on July 9th of 1868 to be exact, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. This amendment states that every person born in the U.S. is a citizen and has equal rights. It laid the foundation for today's civil rights, disability acts, and other protections for minority groups.

July 9, 1868 - The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The Amendment defined U.S. citizenship and prohibited individual States from abridging the rights of any American citizen without due process and equal protection under the law. The Amendment also barred individuals involved in rebellion against the U.S. from holding public office.

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN COMBATANTS RECOUNT:

War on Terror pics [public domain images from U.S. Army and U.S. Navy]

As we continue our current Global War on Terrorism, let us take time to remember those who died defending our freedom and fighting to bring liberty to others. Since 2001*, there have been 6,919 service members killed while deployed to combat terrorism. Today, we honor ??? (TBD) of those 6,919 troops whose memorials are this week.

[To find out more about this week's GWOT combatants , go here.]
*KIA stats according to iCasualties.org tracking of DoD casualty reports

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 - especially about those who have 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