[ DON'T READ ALOUD ANY TEXT BETWEEN BRACKETS ;) ]
[ This is the script for performing an OUTDOOR flag ceremony on Peace Officers Memorial Day - May 15, 2018]
[Student staffing for this flag ceremony: We recommend at least 1 student EMCEE to read the script and 2 FLAG STEWARDS (flag-bearers) to handle the flag positioning. The ideal ceremony would have 3 script readers and a 3-student flag-handling team.]
[ The script begins here... Read it loudly and clearly ;) ]
Good morning, __(insert name of school, such as "Heritage Elementary")__
Welcome to today's Peace Officers Memorial Day Flag Ceremony
[#HonorPOMD]
[ This is the script for performing an OUTDOOR flag ceremony on Peace Officers Memorial Day - May 15, 2018]
[Student staffing for this flag ceremony: We recommend at least 1 student EMCEE to read the script and 2 FLAG STEWARDS (flag-bearers) to handle the flag positioning. The ideal ceremony would have 3 script readers and a 3-student flag-handling team.]
[ The script begins here... Read it loudly and clearly ;) ]
Good morning, __(insert name of school, such as "Heritage Elementary")__
Welcome to today's Peace Officers Memorial Day Flag Ceremony
[#HonorPOMD]
PLEASE, BE RESPECTFUL and LISTEN CLOSELY
TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:
Our Flag is at half-staff in all 50 states to pay tribute to Peace Officers Memorial Day
TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:
Our Flag is at half-staff in all 50 states to pay tribute to Peace Officers Memorial Day
On May 15, 1963, America embraced the first Police Officers Memorial Day.
This national day of remembrance was established on October 1st of 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 stating:
Whereas the police officers of America have worked devotedly and selflessly in behalf of the people of this Nation, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves; and
Whereas these officers have safeguarded the lives and property of their fellow Americans; and
Whereas by the enforcement of our laws, these same officers have given our country internal freedom from fear of the violence and civil disorder that is presently affecting other nations;
Whereas these men and women by their patriotic service and their dedicated efforts have earned the gratitude of the Republic:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by ... Congress that the President issue proclamations
(1) designating May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the Federal, State, and municipal officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty,
(2) directing to display at half-staff the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on such day,
(3) designating in each year the calendar week during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week, in recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, stand guard in our midst to protect us through enforcement of our laws, and
(4) inviting the governments of the States and communities and the people of the United States to observe such day and week with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including the display at half-staff of the flag of the United States.
In accordance with this law and presidential proclamation, we will now conduct our Police Officers Memorial Day flag ceremony.
Everyone, please, face the flagpole and place your hand over your heart as we raise and lower Our Flag(s) to half-staff.
[Instructions for ceremony EMCEE and the FLAG STEWARDS handling Our Flag:
...WATCH THIS #POMD FLAG CEREMONY DEMO VIDEO...
1) Play 'Reveille' - either by student trumpeter or hold microphone to to your mobile phone playing the 'Reveille' music provided here.
2)Raise the flag(s) quickly up to the top of the school flagpole.]
Everyone, please, face the flagpole and place your hand over your heart as we raise and lower Our Flag(s) to half-staff.
[Instructions for ceremony EMCEE and the FLAG STEWARDS handling Our Flag:
...WATCH THIS #POMD FLAG CEREMONY DEMO VIDEO...
1) Play 'Reveille' - either by student trumpeter or hold microphone to to your mobile phone playing the 'Reveille' music provided here.
2)Raise the flag(s) quickly up to the top of the school flagpole.]
[Instructions continued...
3)Once the flag(s) reach the top of the flagpole, play 'Taps' - either by student trumpeter or hold microphone to to your mobile phone playing the 'Taps' music provided here.
4)FLAG STEWARDS: very slowly lower flag(s) to half-staff position as 'Taps' is played. 'Taps' is approximately 1 minute long so lower the flag(s) slow enough to be at half-staff when 'Taps' is finished playing - so a very slow lowering pace.
5)FLAG STEWARDS: Tie-off / Clamp the flag(s) rope to keep the flag(s) at the half-staff position.]
3)Once the flag(s) reach the top of the flagpole, play 'Taps' - either by student trumpeter or hold microphone to to your mobile phone playing the 'Taps' music provided here.
4)FLAG STEWARDS: very slowly lower flag(s) to half-staff position as 'Taps' is played. 'Taps' is approximately 1 minute long so lower the flag(s) slow enough to be at half-staff when 'Taps' is finished playing - so a very slow lowering pace.
5)FLAG STEWARDS: Tie-off / Clamp the flag(s) rope to keep the flag(s) at the half-staff position.]
You may lower your hand from your heart.
Since last year's Peace Officers Memorial Day, our state has had __(fill-in the #)__ law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty - serving and protecting our state's communities.
And they are:
[CLICK ON your state and read the names listed on that page.]
INSERT LINKS TO EACH STATE'S LEO LODDs LIST
We will now have a moment of silence to honor our state's fallen peace officers.
[Pause and be silent for at least 15 seconds]
In closing, ...
... let's show our appreciation and pride for the brave service of our state's and entire nation's law enforcement officers by dedicating this Pledge of Allegiance to them.
Please, stand and place our hands upon our hearts as we state the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thanks for participating in today's Peace Officers Memorial Day Flag Ceremony
Now, go be a good citizen!!!
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.
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