IFRAME TEST - Pre-Anthem Ceremony 7/16-7/22 - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag & Heralder of the Stories, Lessons, & Virtues woven within

***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-Anthem ceremony script below.

Good afternoon/evening, USA!!!
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Pre-Anthem Ceremony
for the week of July 16 to July 22, 2017

READ THE CEREMONY SCRIPT IN BIG BOLD BELOW
[Note: You're welcome to play 'America the Beautiful', 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

[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.

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and make this National Anthem more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells, like that of Lieutenant Pucket,
and all those who died defending our Constitution.

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