Pre-Anthem Observance (3/18-3/25)

[ Note: Before starting this 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-Anthem observance script below. We recommend that you read aloud all the ceremony text with 1 exception. Do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. ]

Good morning / afternoon / evening, __(insert name of your group - like "Heritage Elementary")__
Welcome to today's
Flag Steward
Pre-Anthem Observance
[ for the week of March 18 - 25 ]

During future pre-Anthem Observances, 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 firefighter, state rep, etc.)___.]

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:

[ Pictured (left to right - top to bottom = US Air Force and Air National Guard members... Staff Sgt. Dashan J. Briggs, Master Sgt. Christopher J. Raguso, Capt. Christopher T. Zanetis, Capt. Andreas B. O'Keeffe, Master Sgt. William R. Posch, Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis, and Capt. Mark K. Weber -- US Air Force / public domain images ]

Last week (Mar. 11-17), there were 7 new fallen military service members serving in the Global War on Terrorism that died. An HH-60 PaveHawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq killing all 7 Air Force personnel aboard - including Captains Zanetis, O'Keeffe, and Weber, Master Sergeant Posch, and Staff Sergeants Briggs and Enis. We thank them for defending our freedoms and fighting to liberate others.

[See our #NeverForgottenFriday (Mar. 22) tribute for more details about these heroic airmen.]

[ from left to right: Deputy Zirkle, Police Officer Hamilton, Reserve Police Officer Lawton, and Deputy David Lee'Sean Manning - photo collage courtesy of ODMP.org frontpage ]

And, unfortunately, last week (Mar. 11-17), across the USA, four law enforcement officers died while on patrol duty.
Deputy Ryan Zirkle, in California
Police Officer Scotty Hamilton, in Kentucky
Reserve Police Officer Christopher Lawton, in Louisiana
Deputy David Lee'Sean Manning, in North Carolina
Please, pray for these fallen peace officers and their family, friends, and fellow peace officers in mourning.

[See our #EndOfWatchWednesday (Mar. 20) tribute for more details about these heroic peace 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:

[ Colonists (future Americans) revolting against the Stamp Act in Boston = public domain image ]

During this week in American history, on March 22, 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act - taxing all printed materials in the American colonies. This Act by the British was met with protest in the Colonies. The Colonists' had enough of being taxed without representation in the British government - which built momentum during the next ten years to declare our "liberty and justice for all."

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand for the National Anthem. Place your hand upon your heart and be mindful of how our Colonists' stood up against British oppression on the road to American independence.

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)

[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