Pre-Pledge Lesson (9/10-9/16)

[ 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, 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 Lesson
[ for the week of September 10 to September 16, 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 ...

[ This week's Pre-Anthem Tribute teaser: Recalls the heroics of NYC's 'First Responders' on September 11, 2001 = 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 rep, police officer, etc.)___ for our state.

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
... 'United We Stand' in ... the land of the free and the home of the brave ...

[ Francis Scott Key's poem about the Battle of Baltimore / Fort McHenry became our inspirational Star-Spangled Banner = public domain image ]

[ Fair Use for education ]

During this week, we had two historic, Patriot-evoking events, one obviously in 2001 and another in 1814, that shaped our attitudes and actions toward Our Flag - the flag of the United States of America.

On September 13 and 14, in 1814, the actions of an amateur poet, after 25 hours of relentless British bombardment on Baltimore's Fort McHenry, forever affected how we pay tribute to America's defenders of freedom through Our Flag. Francis Scott Key, who witnessed the perilous fight, the rockets red glare, and the bombs bursting in air, was so amazed that the huge 15-star American flag was still flying victoriously over Fort McHenry that it motivated him to write a poem in honor of the American fighting spirit for freedom. This inspiring poem, called the "Defence of Fort McHenry," was later put to music and renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner," our 'National Anthem'.

Similarly, on September 11, 2001, amid the horrors, chaos, and sadness generated by the terrorist attacks, one act ... yes, one act signaled that Americans would rally to maintain our freedoms in face of this tragedy. It was the flag-raising at Ground Zero by three firefighters who, by raising 'Old Glory,' reflected the mantra that flowed from all Americans that day, "United We Stand."

And, so, at least once a week, if not every day, we should 'stand united' during the Pledge and/or Anthem reflecting on and being thankful that we are Americans living in the land of the free because of the brave - while, also, promising to each other that we will be indivisible in our pursuit of liberty and justice for all.

[ a photo of the tattered and torn U.S. flag that flew over Fort McHenry and inspired the writing of the 'Star-Spangled Banner' = public domain image ]

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 today, from 1814 and 2001.

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
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