pre-Pledge Tribute

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of Nov 11 - 17 ]
[ 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 Nov 11 - 17 ]

Today's Flag Status
[ for Nov 17, 2018 ]
Across America, the US Flag flies at full staff in 47 of 50 states. Georgia, South Carolina, and Rhode Island are half-staff today.

[ GO HERE to find details about the state half-staffs ]

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

[ public domain image ]

Thankfully, there were no US service members killed in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) this past week. So far, in 2018, there have been 23 fallen GWOT soldiers (14 Iraq & 9 Afghanistan).

Back on the homefront ...

[ (Left to Right) Ron Helus and Jared Franks =Pics from Law Enforcement agencies and ODMP.org ]

Unfortunately, 2 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty recently - Police Sergeant Ron Helus in California and Police Officer Jared Franks in North Carolina. Sergeant Helus was the officer shot during the horrific Thousands Oaks bar shooting.

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:
... One brave little girl breaking equality barriers ...

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

During this week, on November 14th in 1960, 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."

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 that of Ruby Bridges.

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.