[ 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 location name - like "Shea Stadium")__
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor
Pre-Anthem Tribute
[ for the week of February 4 - February 10 ]
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor
Pre-Anthem Tribute
[ for the week of February 4 - February 10 ]
PLEASE, BE RESPECTFUL and LISTEN CLOSELY
TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:
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.)___ in our state.
[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.)___ in our state.
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN MILITARY TO HONOR:
During this past week, from January 28th to February 3rd, thankfully, there were no new fallen combatants in the Global War on Terrorism. So far, in 2018, there have been 2 fallen U.S. Army soldiers - 1 serving in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.
THIS WEEK'S HISTORICAL REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
The theme of this year's African American History month is 'African-Americans in Times of War.'
So, with that theme in mind, this week, we recall the first African-American Medal of Honor recipient: Sergeant William Harvey Carney volunteered to join the first African American unit in the Union, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Carney served with 40 other black soldiers - including two of Frederick Douglass’ sons.
Here is the Department of Defense's description of Carney’s heroics:
On July 18, 1863, the soldiers of Carney's Union Army regiment led the charge on the Confederate's Fort Wagner. During the battle, the unit's color guard was shot. Carney, who was just a few feet away, saw the dying man stumble, and he scrambled to catch the falling U.S. flag. Despite suffering several serious gunshot wounds himself, Carney kept the symbol of the Union held high as he crawled up the hill to the walls of Fort Wagner, urging his fellow troops to follow him. Carney lost a lot of blood and nearly lost his life, but not once did he allow the flag to touch the ground. For his bravery, Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor on May 23, 1900.
His legacy serves as a shining example of the patriotism that many Americans felt at that time, despite the color of their skin.
Now, please, stand for the National Anthem, place your hand upon your heart, and be mindful of Sergeant Carney's heroics, and that of all Medal of Honor recipients - who courageously put their lives in harms way to protect their teammates in combat.
Thanks for participating in today's Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag
Pre-Anthem Ceremony
Now, go be a good citizen!!!
Pre-Anthem 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)
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.
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
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[Incorporated as GivingVu.org, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization] All Rights Reserved.