Pre-Pledge Observance (2/25-3/3)

[ 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 February 25 - March 3 ]

Students and teachers you're invited to lead and/or witness this 2-minute ceremony by installing the 'PlaceApp' on your mobile device, scrolling down to the'Pre-Pledge Ceremony' link, and projecting it on your classroom screen.
PLEASE, BE RESPECTFUL and LISTEN CLOSELY

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.)___.

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN MILITARY TO HONOR:

During this past week, there was 1 new fallen soldier in the Global War on Terrorism.
Sergeant Christina Marie Schoenecker, 26, died from a non-combat injury while serving in Iraq with the U.S. Army Reserve's 89th Sustainment Brigade out of Wichita, Kansas.
So far, in 2018, there have been 3 fallen military service members - 2 serving in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.

THIS WEEK'S HISTORICAL REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

During this week in history, March 3rd of 1931, to be exact, Congress passed a law naming the 'Star-Spangled Banner' as America's official National Anthem. The words of the Star-Spangled Banner came from a poem written by Francis Scott Key called the Defense of Fort McHenry.

[ = public domain image ]

Fort McHenry flew a huge, beautiful American Flag, which, during this rainy day, weighed about 500 pounds and took 11 men to raise on the flagpole. After 25 straight hours of British Naval cannonballs falling upon Fort McHenry, the massive, 15-star American Flag still flew. It signalled an American victory and motivated Francis Scott Key to write "Gave proof through the night, that Our Flag was still there."
So, next time you're listening to (and hopefully singing along with) our National Anthem, imagine yourself watching this important battle that preserved America's independence from the British. And, like Francis Scott Key, you write about what you saw during this tough fight and proudly close with, "O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave. O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart, be mindful of the inspiring origins of the Star-Spangled Banner.

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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