pre-Pledge Tribute

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of Oct 7 - 13 ]
[ 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 7 -13 ]

Today's Flag Status
[ for Oct 13, 2018 ]
Our Flag flies at full staff in 45 of 50 states. WI, IA, TN, NC, and NY fly Our Flag at half-staff while AK and WV have special state flag half-staffs.

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

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

[ IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) Memorial in Colorado Springs = Flag Steward (formerly Beacon of Honor) image ]

In respect for National Fire Prevention Week, and this past weekend's National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, we pay tribute to the more than 100 fallen firefighters of this past year. Sadly, thousands of fire fighters have died during the course of American History, but it wasn't until 1976 that the US Government started tracking fire fighting line of duty deaths. Since 1976, more than 7400 fire fighters perished while on duty, and their names are etched on the wall of this memorial in Colorado Springs - the IAFF Memorial.

Additionally, our National Half-Staff on Sunday, October 7th, was for the 37th Anniversary of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.

[ = public domain image ]

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland, featuring a 7-foot stone monument and sculpted Maltese Cross, the traditional symbol of the fire service, was built in 1981. Plaques around the monument bear the names of men and women who died in service to their communities.
This year's National Memorial Service at this monument site included a reading of the Honor Roll of Fallen Firefighters, more than 100, from the past year. We honor and thank all these fallen firefighters who put their lives on the line to save others.

[ To review the 2018 list of Fallen Firefighters from the NFFF, please visit the 2018 Honor Roll ]
[ This Fallen Firefighters feature is powered by the: ]

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.

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.