Pre-Pledge Lesson (9/24-9/30)

[ 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 24 to September 30, 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 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:
... all school children are created equal ...

[ public domain image ]

On this date, September 24, 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower had the Arkansas National Guard ensure racial integration of schools in Little Rock, Shown are National Guard soldiers escorting students into Little Rock's Central HS - a historic moment for school integration in Arkansas. As evidenced by this act, the military - the defenders of our freedom, who take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, can and will be called upon to help ensure their is liberty and justice for all in America.

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN SERVICE MEMBER COMMEMORATION:
Highlights a special day and organization that has dedicated itself to forever remembering fallen military sons & daughters

[In 1967, an Act of Congress established the Gold Star lapel pin (left) for issue to immediate Family members of servicemembers killed in combat. The Next of Kin pin (right) signifies a service-related death or suicide during active duty other than combat.]

Today, the last Sunday of September, is called, by Presidential Proclamation, Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day.

This day honors Gold Star mothers (and families) who lost sons or daughters while serving in the U.S. military. The Gold Star mothers organization was first established by congressional resolution back in 1936. Membership is open to any woman that has lost a son or daughter while on active service in the U.S. military.
Gold Star Mothers and families have inspiring stories of their fallen service member for us all to learn. So, when you meet a Gold Star Mother or family take time to listen them and comfort them because its the least we can do to help ease their pain. And, if you have such opportunity, be a good citizen and, find out how you can help them carry on their fallen service member's legacy.

[Service Flag: Families of servicemen hang a banner in the windows of their homes or cars. The Service Flag has a star for each family member in the military. Living servicemen are represented by a blue star, and those who were killed in combat are represented by a Gold Star.]

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 relayed by Gold Star Mothers and families.

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