Pre-Pledge Ceremony (11/5-11)

[ 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. We recommend that you read aloud all the ceremony text, except: do not read any text with [brackets] around it. ]

Good morning, ___(insert name of location - like "Heritage Elementary")___
Welcome to this week's
Beacon of Honor
Pre-Pledge Ceremony
[ for the week of November 5th to 11th, 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]

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 ___(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 REMINDERS FROM OUR FLAG:
... showcasing American activism and patriotism ...

[ painting by Norman Rockwell re-enacting Ruby Bridges daily escorts to and from school = educational - fair use image ]

On November 14th in 1960, Ruby Bridges became the first African-American student, all by herself, to attend an all-white public school in Louisiana. She was fulfilling her rights as a U.S. citizen to attend public school no matter one's skin color. 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."

And, ...
... 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.

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS' COMMEMORATION:

[ public domain image ]

Army Sergeant First Class Stephen Cribben
Died this past Saturday, November 4, 2017, Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
33, of Simi Valley, California; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson, Colorado.; killed Nov. 4 from wounds sustained while engaged in combat operations in Logar province, Afghanistan.
[summary courtesy of Military Times' Honor the Fallen website]

We honor and thank Stephen Cribben for defending our freedoms and fighting to liberate the lives of others.
GO TO to this article to honor him and learn about his life

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and make this Pledge of Allegiance 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.

Yes, in the 1950s your grandparents / great-grandparents were clean cut and took the Pledge of Allegiance seriously - like the kid with his mouth wide open in the front row ;) [public domain image]

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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[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