pre-Pledge Tribute

[ Note: Do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. ONLY READ THE TEXT IN BLUE. In a classrooom, we recommend 3 student-speakers lead and read aloud the 3 parts of this Pledge ceremony, which should only take 2-3 minutes and is available every #FlagDayFriday. ]

[ STUDENT SPEAKER 1 - read blue text only]

Good morning / afternoon / evening, __(insert name of your group - like "Heritage Elementary" or "Scout Troop")__.
Welcome to the Pledge of Allegiance Tribute for the week of March 23 - 29

Where is Our Flag, the U.S. Flag, at half-staff today?
The U.S. Flag is FULL STAFF across 48 of 50 states
...All Flags across NORTH CAROLINA are half-staff to honor 4 fallen soldiers...
...And, in OHIO, all Flags atop the Ohio Statehouse and across Mahoning and Hamilton counties are half-staff to remember a state representative and fallen officer...

[ GO HERE to review details about the half-staffs and their honorees - including portraits ]

[ STUDENT-SPEAKER 2 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S STORY FROM OUR FLAG:
... Reminds America's student-citizens that your ancestors faced and overcame worse situations before ...
And, now, it's your time to do the same.

[ Pictured above: Like NYC is building now to treat COVID-19 patients, a temporary field hospital was built in Boston, MA during the peak of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic (aka the Spanish Flu). And, to reduce the spread of the deadly disease, Seattle police and street car operators in Seattle wore masks. That flu pandemic killed more than 675,000 Americans from 1918-1920. COVID-19 has killed approximately 1,000 Americans as of March 25th. ]

"I've never seen anything like this before," is a common statement nowadays. And, while that's true for Americans over 103 years old, we have overcome worse pandemic and quality of life restrictions before. During the 1918 Influenza Pandemic, also known as Spanish Flu, 675,000 Americans died from the disease brought back unknowingly by U.S. troops who fought and won World War I. It took two years to fully defeat the worst disease to ever reach the USA. But, America, and the world, beat that disease by doing the same things we are doing today. They put the health and safety of others before themselves. America stopped all large events and gatherings, stayed at home in isolation, put the sick in quarantine, kept distance between each other, and most importantly, they cleaned and disinfected their bodies, homes, and work spaces. So, let's beat coronavirus by being good, health-focused citizens - like your relatives were 100 years ago.

[ STUDENT-SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:

Thankfully, there were no U.S. military service members killed in Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zones this past week. But, sadly, there were 3 troops who died while serving their country. U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Baker died during swim training in Florida. And U.S. Army Private First Class Gloria and Specialist Welch died of unknown causes in South Korea.

And, back on the homefront, ...

... unfortunately, there were 2 police officers who died in the line of duty recently - Springdale Police Officer Kaia Grant in Ohio and Washington State Trooper Justin Schaffer.

We honor and thank these 5 patriots for serving and protecting our country and their communities.

Now, please, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your hand upon your heart and be mindful of America's will to win - defeating the coronavirus by being good, health-focused citizens.

United, we say, "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."

Thanks for participating in today's Pledge of Allegiance Tribute.
And, join us again next Friday, at this same time and place.

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END OF CEREMONY
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In God We Trust
(Official motto of the United States of America)

The U.S. Flag Code:
provides Our Flag's Rules and Regulations

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.

[ Note: Header photo is edited screenshot from GGM class / MrHeadMusic YTvid ]