Pre-Pledge Observance (1/28-2/3)

[ 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 28 - February 3 ]

Students and teachers 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.)___ in our state.

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN MILITARY TO HONOR:

During this past week, from January 21 to 27, thankfully, there were no new fallen combatants in the Global War on Terrorism (OIF or OEF). So far, in 2018, there have been 2 fallen U.S. Army soldiers - 1 serving in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[ The Royal Exchange Building in New York City - where in 1790, the Supreme Court of the United States convened for the first time = public domain image ]

During this week in U.S. history, on February 2, 1790 to be exact, the Supreme Court of the United States met for the first time at the Royal Exchange Building in NYC - which back then was our nation’s capital city. By its name, the Supreme Court has ‘supreme’ authority over all laws. Lower courts may bring their appealed cases, cases that want to be re-examined, for a final decision by the Supreme Court.

So, who appointed the first Supreme Court Justices? [pause by counting to 2]
Our first President, George Washington, did. He nominated and the Senate approved 6 Justices to serve in the Supreme Court.
Who was the first Chief Justice? [pause by counting to 2 again]

[ John Jay portrait = public domain image ]

John Jay was the first Chief Justice who served with 5 other associate justices that were all involved in the creation of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

For nearly 230 years the Supreme Court has served our Nation.

[ Today's Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. = public domain image ]

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart, and be mindful of our Supreme Court, the difficult decisions it must make on court cases, and the balance of power the U.S. Constitution created for our national government.

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
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