Pre-Pledge Ceremony (1/14-20)

[ 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-Pledge 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 morning, ___(insert name of location - like "Heritage Elementary") ___
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor
Pre-Pledge Observance
[ for the week of January 14 - 20 ]

Students you're invited to follow this 2-minute ceremony by installing the 'PlaceApp' on your mobile device and projecting it on your classroom screen.

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.

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN COMBATANTS' COMMEMORATION:

During this past week, thankfully, there have been no new fallen combatants to honor. So far, in 2018, there have been 2 fallen U.S. Army soldiers from the Global War on Terrorism.

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[ Monday, January 15, 2018 is a National Holiday celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. = public domain image ]

This week, we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his fight for justice and equality. Now, close your eyes and let's step back to August 28, 1963. Picture yourself standing with the 100,000 citizens gathered in Washington, DC, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial listening to MLK's most impassioned speech.
[Tap "Listen in Browser" so you can listen while scrolling down this page to see the MLK pictures below.]

[ This the view from just behind where MLK gave his famous 'I have a dream' speech. What an amazing sight - a sea of folks who came to listen to him and participate in the Freedom March. =public domain image ]

[ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. standing behind President Lyndon Johnson as he signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that MLK and other fought so hard to get. ]

[ MLK proudly displaying the Nobel Peace Prize given to him on Oct. 14, 1964. At the time, he was the youngest ever, at 35, to receive this award. ]

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and dedicate this Pledge of Allegiance to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and our continued pursuit of 'liberty and justice for all.'

Thanks for participating in today's Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag
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