archive - Today's BoH Flag-Raising - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag (half-staff alerts)

[Today's flag ceremony script is below. We recommend that you read aloud, in the best performance voice you have, all the ceremony text with 2 exceptions: 1) do not read caption text below pictures, and 2) do not read any text with [brackets] around it.]

Good morning, USA!!!
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor
Flag-Raising Ceremony
for Monday, July 24, 2017
[3-in-3: delivering 3 patriotic reminders in 3 minutes]

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

On this date, July 24, 1982, "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor hits #1 for the first of six weeks - all thanks to its use in Rocky III. [YouTube video image]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

Across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff.

[Click here to learn more about today's half-staff honorees and
verify the latest flag status for every state (courtesy of FlagNotify.com)]

Now, please, stand and place your hand upon your heart and make this flag-raising ceremony more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and 'the Republic for which it stands'.

[Note: Play 'Reveille' while raising / posting the flag of the United States of America]

[Note: You're welcome to play 'Let Freedom Ring' in the background to enhance today's ceremony experience]

TODAY'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
... Amelia Earhart - the "Queen of the Air", an American Pioneer ...

Amelia Earhart in Los Angeles in 1928 [public domain image]

On this date, July 24, of 1897, Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas. In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. And, in July of 1937, about three-quarters through her attempt to fly the longest round-the-world flight, her plane disappeared near Howland Island in the South Pacific Ocean. Neither the plane wreckage or her body was ever recovered. This has led to years and years of folks trying to figure out where her plane went down and how it happened.

TODAY'S FALLEN MARINE ALERT:

Staff Sergeant Robert Cox of the 2nd Raider Battalion [USMC image]

Today, we individually remember and honor, the 11th of 16 service members killed in the KC-130 crash on July 10th, U.S. Marine Raider Staff Sergeant Robert Cox of Ventura, California. He was designated as a Critical Skills Operator and fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve in Iraq, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan during his 10-year career.

The Ventura Star relayed that SSgt Cox's aunt said, "He was just the best person in the world, He was intelligent, and he loved his country and his family." And, a fellow Marine remembered, “He always had a book and was reading something. He was the first to volunteer and someone who would help out with whatever was needed."

We thank and honor Staff Sergeant Robert Cox for defending our freedoms at home and abroad.
[Go here to learn more about the life of Robert Cox]

via GIPHY

In closing, take a moment to reflect upon Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells - like that of Marine Raider SSgt Robert Cox.

[Optional: Say the 'Pledge of Allegiance' or sing the 'National Anthem' while closing the ceremony and placing your hand upon your heart.]

[No copyright: Image found on ThingLink.com]

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

Lyrics by Francis Scott Key [Image: No copyright. Found on http://www.wadeburleson.org]

Thanks for attending today's BoH ceremony.
Now, go be a good citizen!!!

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END OF CEREMONY
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... 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