Welcome to Flag Steward's
'Be a Stud Citizen' Message
for Friday, March 26, 2021
[ Flag carried and posted for pic from Highlands Point towards Pikes Peak in May 2017 - by S. Sweeney ]
'Be a Stud Citizen' Message
for Friday, March 26, 2021
[ Flag carried and posted for pic from Highlands Point towards Pikes Peak in May 2017 - by S. Sweeney ]
[ 3 Ways for You & Students to Experience today's 'Be a Stud Citizen' Message: ]
[ 1) KEEP SCROLLING down this page and read it to yourself or perform it aloud for your school / classroom. If reading the page to a classroom, skip any text in [ brackets ].
2) LISTEN to the <5 minutes PODCAST as you or your classroom follow along viewing the page on a device or classroom projection
or, 3) WATCH the <5 minutes VIDEO of today's Reminders from Our Flag, by yourself or with your classrooom on a projector/flatscreen ]
[ 1) KEEP SCROLLING down this page and read it to yourself or perform it aloud for your school / classroom. If reading the page to a classroom, skip any text in [ brackets ].
2) LISTEN to the <5 minutes PODCAST as you or your classroom follow along viewing the page on a device or classroom projection
or, 3) WATCH the <5 minutes VIDEO of today's Reminders from Our Flag, by yourself or with your classrooom on a projector/flatscreen ]
[ Note: Flag Steward's 'Be a Stud Citizen' podcasts are available on nearly all podcast platforms for you to listen and enjoy however you prefer. ]
[ Note: If you can't access or play videos from YouTube in your school, then GO / CLICK HERE to watch today's stories from Our Flag on Loom. ]
Where is Our Flag, the U.S. Flag, at half-staff today?
[ CLICK HERE to see Half-Staff alert details, including pics, of Honorees ]
Today's Historical, 'Be a Stud Citizen,' Message from Our Flag
Can you believe a year has passed since nearly all of America began lockdowns, mask mandates, and other actions to control the spread of COVID-19?
And, now, finally, we can celebrate a little by getting a shot to protect us - thanks to a couple of American women who have been critical to the development of the first two COVID-19 vaccines at Pfizer and Moderna. It's not often that we can witness "history-in-the-making." So, when it does happen, we should recognize and appreciate such a moment. And, that's the case with 'Today's Historical 'Be a Stud Citizen' Message from Our Flag' - relaying the story of two amazing American scientists who have given us an opportunity to fight back and eventually end this pandemic.
Can you believe a year has passed since nearly all of America began lockdowns, mask mandates, and other actions to control the spread of COVID-19?
And, now, finally, we can celebrate a little by getting a shot to protect us - thanks to a couple of American women who have been critical to the development of the first two COVID-19 vaccines at Pfizer and Moderna. It's not often that we can witness "history-in-the-making." So, when it does happen, we should recognize and appreciate such a moment. And, that's the case with 'Today's Historical 'Be a Stud Citizen' Message from Our Flag' - relaying the story of two amazing American scientists who have given us an opportunity to fight back and eventually end this pandemic.
[ Dr. Katalin Kariko (left) and Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett (right) = own images licensed for public use via Wikipeida ]
Dr. Katalin Kariko and Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett have incredible stories of perseverance and determination that got them to this occasion where they can use their amazing brains and years of research to do good for humankind. And, they are so excited to do it.
So, here are their highlights.
Dr. Kariko, an American-Hungarian, is the lead scientist on the BioNTech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine development team. The release of the vaccine validated her 40 years of research on the genetic code RNA (ribonucleic acid) and gave her a huge feeling of pride and redemption for all she overcame to achieve this. Her story of hard-work and determination started in 1985 when she escaped communist-controlled Hungary to take her biochemist skills to the United States. With incredible courage, she, her husband, and 2-year old daughter, sold their car, hid the cash in their daughter's teddy bear (because Hungary would not allow folks to leave the country with any money) and travelled to America without knowing anyone here. She got a biochemist job at Temple University in Philadelphia and eventully found a partner, immunologist Drew Weissman, to explore her passion - the genetic code of RNA. Since 1997, they have been researching and developing medical therapies using messenger RNA. And, now, her patent, co-authored with Weissman, is the therapy technology being licensed by Pfizer and Moderna to develop their COVID-19 vaccines. She and Weissman are the lead candidates to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine because of their work.
Dr. Katalin Kariko and Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett have incredible stories of perseverance and determination that got them to this occasion where they can use their amazing brains and years of research to do good for humankind. And, they are so excited to do it.
So, here are their highlights.
Dr. Kariko, an American-Hungarian, is the lead scientist on the BioNTech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine development team. The release of the vaccine validated her 40 years of research on the genetic code RNA (ribonucleic acid) and gave her a huge feeling of pride and redemption for all she overcame to achieve this. Her story of hard-work and determination started in 1985 when she escaped communist-controlled Hungary to take her biochemist skills to the United States. With incredible courage, she, her husband, and 2-year old daughter, sold their car, hid the cash in their daughter's teddy bear (because Hungary would not allow folks to leave the country with any money) and travelled to America without knowing anyone here. She got a biochemist job at Temple University in Philadelphia and eventully found a partner, immunologist Drew Weissman, to explore her passion - the genetic code of RNA. Since 1997, they have been researching and developing medical therapies using messenger RNA. And, now, her patent, co-authored with Weissman, is the therapy technology being licensed by Pfizer and Moderna to develop their COVID-19 vaccines. She and Weissman are the lead candidates to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine because of their work.
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is the lead scientist of the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, and whose team partnered with Moderna to develop its highly effective COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Fauci, who we all know :) leads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said this about Dr. Corbett, "Kizzy is an African-American scientist who is the right at the forefront of the development of the (COVID-19) vaccine. Her work will have a substantial impact on ending the worst respiratory-disease pandemic in more than 100 years." Her recent immunology work reflects her life of overcoming obstacles with hard work and a will to win - having grown up in a family with many step and foster siblings in North Carolina. And, now, she's using her knowledge and experience to build trust with vaccine doubting communities - including many African-Americans. Because if a certain, high-percentage of Americans and the world's population do not take the vaccine, her work to develop a solution to end this pandemic will be for not.
Today's Inspirational Quote from Our Flag
... comes from Dr. Corbett when she reflected upon the importance of her vaccine research work ...
"To be living in this moment
where I have the opportunity to work on something that has imminent global importance...
it's just a surreal (unbelievable) moment for me."
[public domain image of Earth taken from Apollo 17 in outer space ]
... comes from Dr. Corbett when she reflected upon the importance of her vaccine research work ...
"To be living in this moment
where I have the opportunity to work on something that has imminent global importance...
it's just a surreal (unbelievable) moment for me."
[public domain image of Earth taken from Apollo 17 in outer space ]
And, now it's time to ...
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance
Students across America, at school or at home, inspired by this week's 'Be a Stud Citizen' Message about medical pioneering women, Dr. Kariko and Dr. Corbett, please unite and recite the Pledge.
Thanks for participating in today's U.S. Flag tribute.
Go out and 'Be a Stud Citizen' - that means be an awesome, good-to-each other citizen,
Keep America Beautiful, and remember,
In God We Trust
Go out and 'Be a Stud Citizen' - that means be an awesome, good-to-each other citizen,
Keep America Beautiful, and remember,
In God We Trust
In God We Trust
(Official motto of the United States of America)
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Flag Steward (formerly known as Beacon of Honor and originally incorporated as GivingVu.org, Inc. in 2013) is a nonpartisan, student-inspired, Veteran-led 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Tax ID# 46-2457373