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[ Note: We recommend 3 student-speakers read aloud the 3 parts of the pre-Pledge ceremony. And, assign 1 student to show the ceremony on the clasroom screen. Do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. ONLY READ THE TEXT IN BLUE. ]
[ SPEAKER 1 - read blue text only]
Good morning students!
Welcome to the Pre-Pledge Tribute for the week of February 3 - 8, 2020
Good morning students!
Welcome to the Pre-Pledge Tribute for the week of February 3 - 8, 2020
We begin this ceremony by honoring special citizens who have served our country and communities and have recently passed away. We pay tribute to them by lowering Our Flag, the U.S. Flag, to half-staff.
Half-Staff Alerts for February 8
The U.S. Flag is FULL STAFF across 42 of 50 states
...All Flags across WISCONSIN are half-staff...
...The Flags atop the South Dakota and West Virginia Capitol buildings are half-staff...
...And, there are local half-staffs of the all Flags in Logan County, West Virginia, Harford County, Maryland, Florida State Highway Patrol Headquarters in Florida, Kimberly, Alabama, Liberty County, Texas, and Los Angeles, California ...
Half-Staff Alerts for February 8
The U.S. Flag is FULL STAFF across 42 of 50 states
...All Flags across WISCONSIN are half-staff...
...The Flags atop the South Dakota and West Virginia Capitol buildings are half-staff...
...And, there are local half-staffs of the all Flags in Logan County, West Virginia, Harford County, Maryland, Florida State Highway Patrol Headquarters in Florida, Kimberly, Alabama, Liberty County, Texas, and Los Angeles, California ...
[ GO HERE to review details about the half-staffs and their honorees - including portraits ]
[ SPEAKER 2 - read blue text only ]
THIS WEEK'S STORY FROM OUR FLAG:
... celebrating a courageous example for the start of African-American Month ...
THIS WEEK'S STORY FROM OUR FLAG:
... celebrating a courageous example for the start of African-American Month ...
During this month in American history, ...
... on February 29, of 1840, yes on a Leap Year Day, like we'll have this month, William Harvey Carney was born as a slave in Norfolk, Virginia. Legend has it that he escaped to freedom by way of the famous Underground Railroad to Massachusetts. In March of 1863, he joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an all African-American fighting unit. Sergeant William Harvey Carney became a famous soldier of courage during his unit's battle at Fort Wagner in South Carolina. For his actions that day, he was given the Medal of Honor - the first African-American to earn it. The military's description of Sergeant Carney's brave efforts are outlined below.
... on February 29, of 1840, yes on a Leap Year Day, like we'll have this month, William Harvey Carney was born as a slave in Norfolk, Virginia. Legend has it that he escaped to freedom by way of the famous Underground Railroad to Massachusetts. In March of 1863, he joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an all African-American fighting unit. Sergeant William Harvey Carney became a famous soldier of courage during his unit's battle at Fort Wagner in South Carolina. For his actions that day, he was given the Medal of Honor - the first African-American to earn it. The military's description of Sergeant Carney's brave efforts are outlined below.
On July 18, 1863, the soldiers of Carney's Union Army regiment led the charge on the Confederate's Fort Wagner. During the battle, the unit's color guard was shot. Carney, who was just a few feet away, saw the dying man stumble, and he scrambled to catch the falling U.S. flag. Despite suffering several serious gunshot wounds himself, Carney kept the symbol of the Union held high as he crawled up the hill to the walls of Fort Wagner, urging his fellow troops to follow him. While the Union lost the battle that day, Carney lost a lot of blood and nearly lost his life, but not once did he allow the flag to touch the ground.
For his bravery, Carney was presented the Medal of Honor on May 23, 1900. His legacy serves as a shining example for all Americans.
For his bravery, Carney was presented the Medal of Honor on May 23, 1900. His legacy serves as a shining example for all Americans.
[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:
Unfortunately, there were three military troops killed in the Global War on Terror this past week. Army Specialist Moore was killed in Syria. And, two U.S. Air Force pilots, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Voss and Captain Ryan Phaneuf were killed when their plane crashed in Afghanistan.
[ GO HERE to read about SPC Moore and CLICK HERE for info on USAF pilot's killed ]
... And, back on the homefront ...
[ GO HERE to read about SPC Moore and CLICK HERE for info on USAF pilot's killed ]
... And, back on the homefront ...
Sadly, ... there were 6 first responders who died in the line of duty recently. The 3 fallen police officers were Deputy Whiteman in Georgia, and Officer Thyne and Major Moore in Virginia.
And, the 3 fallen firefighters, Captain McBeth from Montana; First Officer Hudson from Arizona, and Flight Engineer DeMorgan from Florida, were flying a C-130 firefighting aircraft that crashed while helping to fight the massive fires in Australia.
We honor and thank these patriots for serving and protecting Our Nation and communities.
[ To review details of these first responder LODDs (Line of Duty Deaths), please visit the
Officer Down Memorial Page and this news article about the American firefighters in Australia ]
And, the 3 fallen firefighters, Captain McBeth from Montana; First Officer Hudson from Arizona, and Flight Engineer DeMorgan from Florida, were flying a C-130 firefighting aircraft that crashed while helping to fight the massive fires in Australia.
We honor and thank these patriots for serving and protecting Our Nation and communities.
[ To review details of these first responder LODDs (Line of Duty Deaths), please visit the
Officer Down Memorial Page and this news article about the American firefighters in Australia ]
Now, please, gather together, and make this Pledge of Allegiance more meaningful, by honoring Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells - like that of our first African-American Medal of Honor recipient.
Thanks for participating in today's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Tribute
Now, go be a STUD citizen!!!
Thanks for participating in today's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Tribute
Now, go be a STUD citizen!!!
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END OF CEREMONY
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In God We Trust
(Official motto of the United States of America)
END OF CEREMONY
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In God We Trust
(Official motto of the United States of America)
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