Pre-Anthem Ceremony (12/10-16)

[ Note: Before starting this ceremony, 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-Anthem ceremony script below. In the best performance voice you have, we recommend that you read aloud all the ceremony text with 1 exception - do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. ]

Good afternoon / evening, ___(insert name of location - like "Shea Stadium")___
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor
Pre-Anthem Ceremony
[ for the week of December 10 - 16 ]

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:]
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 firefighter, state rep, etc.)___ for our state.

[ Bill of Rights = public domain image ]

Fellow Americans, this week, on December 15th to be exact, we celebrate America's Bill of Rights becoming law. The Bill of Rights were the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. These changes to the U.S. Constitution provided certain rights and freedoms to all Americans that weren't originally granted.
[Elementary schools may stop reading here. Middle School & H.S. may continue reading below.]

1. The First Amendment granted the freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, and the right to protest.
2. The Second Amendment gave the right to bear arms
3. The Third Amendment stated that soldiers cannot take over a home during war or peace without the homeowner’s permission.
4. The Fourth Amendment protected Americans from unreasonable and unlawful search and seizure of property.
5. The Fifth Amendment allowed all citizens due process and stated that a person cannot be forced to serve as a witness against himself when accused of a crime.
6. The Sixth Amendment provided a speedy and public trial by jury for all who are accused of a crime.
7. The Seventh Amendment also allowed a trial by jury to be held for certain civil disputes.
8. The Eighth Amendment prevented those accused of suffering cruel and unusual punishment.
9. The Ninth Amendment stated that no one’s Constitutional rights should be used to take away the rights of another citizen.
10. The Tenth Amendment provided each state with powers that are not specifically assigned to the national (federal) government in the Constitution.

[ James Madison (Father of the Constitution and Bill of Rights) = public domain pic ]

James Madison, one of our Founding Fathers from Virginia, was the primary author of the Bill of Rights, as well as, the U.S. Constitution. Seven of the 10 amendments he wrote were within Bill of Rights.

via GIPHY

We now ask you to, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and make this National Anthem more meaningful
by remembering all those who fought and continue fighting today to maintain the freedoms provided by the U.S. Constitution and all its amendments.

Thanks for participating in today's Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag
Pre-Anthem Ceremony
Now, go be a good citizen!!!

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END OF CEREMONY
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[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