Pre-Anthem Tribute (7/30-8/5)

[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. We recommend that you read aloud, in the best performance voice you have, all the ceremony text with 2 exceptions: 1) do not read caption text below pictures, and 2) do not read any text with [brackets] around it.]

Good afternoon/evening, USA!!!
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor
Pre-Anthem Tribute
[for the week of July 30 to August 5, 2017]

[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]

'Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag' ... to Inform and Inspire Citizens

Pre-Anthem History teaser: This massive 15-star American flag flew over Fort McHenry and inspired who to write "The Star-Spangled Banner"? [public domain image]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

In our state, the Stars and Stripes files 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 representative, etc.)___ for our state.]

THIS WEEK'S PRE-ANTHEM TRIBUTE:
We live in the land of the free because of the brave

U.S. Army Sergeant Richard W. O'Neill of New York City, a World War I hero [U.S. Army public domain image]

This week's pre-Anthem tribute is dedicated to U.S. Army Sergeant Richard O'Neill from New York City. He displayed extraordinary heroism while battling Germans in France on July 30, 1918.
Sergeant O'Neill led his platoon from the front by single handedly attacking a German assault team of about 25. During hand-to-hand combat he was wounded, but continued leading his platoon's rout of the enemy position. After being wounded 7 times, Sgt O'Neill became weak from blood loss and had to be evacuated. But, before seeking medical help, he insisted on meeting his commander to relay valuable information about the enemy positions and the status of his platoon. His heroic actions rallied his infantry battalion on to victory.
For risking his life above and beyond the call of duty, Sergeant O'Neill received the Medal of Honor.

Install the 'PlaceApp' and connect to the Beacon of Honor service to read Sgt. O'Neill's full Medal of Honor citation.
[or go here]

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 that of Sergeant O'Neill,
who fought to defend our freedoms and liberate French citizens from German oppression.

Only those Americans who are willing to die for their country are fit to live.
-Douglas MacArthur

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

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END OF CEREMONY
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... And, here are more music selections to use with your flag ceremony ...

[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