pre-Pledge Tribute

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of Oct 14-20 ]
[ Note: Do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. ONLY READ THE TEXT IN BLUE. We recommend 3 speakers lead and read aloud the 3 parts of the pre-Pledge ceremony. ]
[ SPEAKER 1 - read blue text only]

Good morning / afternoon / evening, __(insert name of your group - like "Heritage Elementary" or "Scout Troop")__.
Welcomes to this week's Pre-Pledge Tribute
powered by Flag Steward
[ for the week of Oct 14 - 20 ]

Today's Flag Status
[ for Oct 20, 2018 ]
Across America, the US Flag flies at full staff, except in Iowa and North Carolina

[ GO HERE to find details about today's half-staff honorees ]

[ SPEAKER 2 - read blue text only ]
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:

[ US Army pic =public domain image ]

Sadly, we recently had one fallen GWOT (Global War on Terror) soldier. US Army National Guard Sergeant James Slape, 23, of North Carolina, was killed by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) while doing his duties in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Back on the homefront ...

[ (Left to Right) Terrence Carraway, Dennis Reichardt, Kristopher Youngberg, Raymond Jimmerson, and Mark Gaspich =Pics from Law Enforcement agencies and ODMP.org ]

Unfortunately, 5 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty recently from shootings to heart attacks to cancer, including - Florence South Carolina Policeman Terrence Carraway, Suffolk County New York Policeman Dennis Reichardt, Federal Agent, Kristopher Youngberg, Nagodoches County Texas Deputy Raymond Jimmerson, and Pennsylvania Corrections Officer Mark Gaspich.

Please, pray for all these fallen patriots and their family and friends in mourning.

[To leave a message and review the most detailed account of this year's law enforcement officers' line of duty deaths, please visit the
Officer Down Memorial Page]
[This Fallen Peace Officers feature is powered by the:]

w[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
... The battle that ended the Revolutionary War ...

[ Continental Army storming and overtaking another British fortification at Yorktown and raise Our Flag in victory =public domain image by Eugene Lami ]

During this week in American history, on October 19th, 1781 to be exact, the British Army, led by General Lord Cornwallis, surrendered to the Continental Army at Yorktown. More than 7,000 British troops of Cornwallis' army gave up to George Washington's troops. The war between Britain and its American colonies was effectively over. The colonial Americans finally had gained their full independence from the British. The final peace treaty would be signed in Paris in 1783.

[ British Lieutenant General / Lord Cornwallis surrenders his troops to General George Washington and the Continental Army to end the Battle of Yorktown = public domain image by John Trumbull

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 the Battle of Yorktown which ended the Revolutionary War and secured our freedom.

Thanks for participating in today's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Tribute
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)

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.