Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of November 10 - 16 - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag (half-staff alerts)

[ This week's Pre-Pledge Tribute, for Nov. 17 - 23, will be posted by 5p EST on Mon., Nov. 18 ]

[ Note: We recommend 3 student-speakers lead and read aloud the 3 parts of the pre-Pledge ceremony. And, assign 1 student to handle the ceremony tech - showing with a laptop or mobile device the ceremony on a screen. Select the 4 presenting students on Monday or Tuesday and have them practice the Pre-PLedge Tribute so on Friday they can give a good, clear, loud ceremony for their classmates ;) Do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. ONLY READ THE TEXT IN BLUE. ]

[ SPEAKER 1 - read blue text only]

Good morning / afternoon / evening, __(insert name of your group - like "Heritage Elementary" or "Scout Troop" or "Rotary Club")__.
Welcome to the Pre-Pledge Tribute for the week of November 10th - 16th

Half-Staff Alerts for November 17
The U.S. Flag is FULL STAFF across 47 of 50 states
...The U.S. & State Flags across IOWA, MASSACHUSETTS, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma are half-staff...
...The Commonwealth (State) Flag across VIRGINIA is half-staff...

[ GO HERE to review details about the half-staffs and their honorees - including portraits ]

[ SPEAKER 2 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
... a brave little girl breaking barriers in schools to bring us all together ...

[ painting by Norman Rockwell re-enacting Ruby Bridges daily escorts to and from school = educational - fair use image ]

During this week in American history, ...
On November 14 in 1960, to be exact, Ruby Bridges became the first African-American student, all by herself, to attend an all-white public school in Louisiana. She was fulfilling her rights as a U.S. citizen to attend public school no matter one's skin color. U.S. Marshals escorted her to and from school everyday because of protesters and threats to her life. U.S. Marshal, Charles Burks, said Ruby, "showed a lot of courage. She never cried. She didn't whimper... and we're all very very proud of her."

[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:

Thankfully, there were no soldiers killed while serving in Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zones last week.

... And, back on the homefront ...

Sadly, ... there were 6 first responders who died in the line of duty recently. The 3 fallen peace officers were Police Chief Knapp in Washington, Officer Diaz in California, and Detective Delrio in Ohio. The 3 fallen firefighters were firefighter Serdynski in Wisconsin, former Fire Chief Isenberg in New York, and District Chief Bradshaw.
We honor and thank these patriots for serving and protecting their communities.

[ To review details of these first responder LODDs (Line of Duty Deaths), please visit the
Officer Down Memorial Page and Firehouse.com LODDs page ]

Now, 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 courage of Ruby Bridges.

Thanks for participating in today's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Tribute
Now, go be a stud 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.