Reminders from Our Flag - Mar 30 2018 - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag (half-staff alerts)

[ Note: Do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. Before starting this Pre-Pledge tribute, CLICK TO CHECK 'TODAY'S FLAG STATUS'. If your state is at half-staff, memorize the honoree's name and job/position, so you can say it within today's pre-Pledge tribute script below. We recommend 3 students lead and read aloud the 3 parts of the pre-Pledge ceremony. ]

Good morning / afternoon / evening, __(insert name of your group - like "Heritage Elementary" or "Rotary Club" or "Girl Scout Troop")__
Welcome to today's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Tribute
[ for the week of April 1 - 7 ]

In future pre-Pledge tributes, you're invited to follow the script and images by installing the PlaceApp.
PLEASE, BE RESPECTFUL and LISTEN CLOSELY

Today's Flag Status

In our state, the Stars and Stripes flies at ___(say "full" or "half")___ staff today.
[End it here or read the following sentence if there is a half-staff in your state today]
[Optional - only say if your state is at half-staff today:]
[Optional = The half-staff in our state is to honor ___(say full name of honoree)___
who served as a ___(say public servant job / position - such as police officer, state rep, etc.)___.]

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:
[Died in the line of duty during the week of March 25 - 31]

In the military ...
... there is 1 new fallen military service member, fighting in the Global War on Terrorism, that was killed in action.
Master Sergeant. Jonathan Dunbar, 36, of Austin, Texas, was killed by an IED that detonated near his patrol in Syria. He was deployed with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command of Fort Bragg, North Carolina in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
We thank Master Sergeant Dunbar for defending our freedoms and fighting to liberate others.

[See our #NeverForgottenFriday (April 6) tribute for more details about this heroic soldier.]

In law enforcement ...
... across the USA and its territories, two law enforcement officers died in the line of duty.
Police Officer Phillip Lynn Meacham, served Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Trooper First Class Kevin M. Miller, protected the state of Connecticut
Please, pray for these fallen peace officers and their family, friends, and fellow peace officers in mourning.

[See our #EndOfWatchWednesday (Apr. 4) tribute for more details about these heroic Law Enforcement Officers.]
[To leave a message and review the most detailed account of these law enforcement officers' line of duty death, please visit the
Officer Down Memorial Page]
[This Fallen Peace Officers feature is powered by the:]

THIS WEEK'S HISTORICAL REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[ Trench warfare headlined the war strategy which also began airplane, tank, battleship, and machine gun fighting = public domain images ]

"... with liberty and justice for all" are the closing words of our Pledge. But, America doesn't let the Pledge and its ideals end at its own border.

During this week in American history, after three years of neutrality and watching from afar, and experiencing numerous American merchant and innocent cruise ships being sunk by German submarines, America entered World War I.
On April 6, 1917, Congress voted to declare war against Germany. This started America on the path to be the force for freedom around the world that it still is today - 100 years later.
During the "Great War," American forces played a significant role in defeating Germany and restoring peace and freedom in Europe for a short while.
By war's end, more than 2 million Americans served in the war and more than 50,000 died in the name of liberty.

[ Aisne-Marne American (World War I) cemetery in France =public domain image ]

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your hand upon your heart and be mindful of America, by entering World War I, becoming a force for freedom around the world that still lasts today.

Thanks for participating in today's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Ceremony
Now, go be a good citizen!!!

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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

[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.