Pre-Anthem Ceremony (wkend 11/10-12)

[ 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 "Mile High Stadium")___
Welcome to this week's
Beacon of Honor
Pre-Anthem Ceremony
[ for the weekend of November 10 - 12 ]

[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 ...

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

In our state, the Stars and Stripes flies at full staff today.

THIS WEEK'S REMINDERS FROM OUR FLAG:
... Two different integrations and one transition ...

[ Fair use for education ]

Integration 1 -
During this past week, on November 8th in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a law allowing the American Football League to integrate with the more established National Football League - creating America's most watched sport.

[ Fair Use for education ]

Integration 2-
On November 14th in 1960, Ruby Bridges became the first African-American student, all by herself, to integrate into an all-white school in Louisiana. U.S. Marshals escorted her to and from school everyday because of protesters and threats to her life. U.S. Marshal, Charles Burks, said Ruby, "showed a lot of courage. She never cried. She didn't whimper... and we're all very very proud of her."

[ German military officers sign the Armistice, ending WWI, in front of British and French officials. =public domain image ]

And, finally a noteworthy Transition-
In 1954, Veterans Day replaced Armistice Day as our national holiday celebrated every November 11th. Armistice Day commemorated the Germans signing the Armistice (truce) for the Allied forces on November 11th of 1918 thus ending World War I. Then, Veterans Day was established to remember the sacrifices of all those who served in our military and not just those of World War I - which at the time many thought would be 'the war to end all wars.' Yet, the fight for freedom never ends.

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 those of the courageous Ruby Bridges and our freedom-fighting Veterans.

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