Pre-Pledge Tribute for the week of October 20 - 26, 2019 - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag (half-staff alerts)

[ 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 3rd - 11th

Half-Staff Alerts for November 11
...The U.S. Flag is FULL STAFF, for Veterans Day, in 47 of 50 states...
...The U.S. & State Flags across OHIO and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma are half-staff...
...The Commonwealth (State) Flag across VIRGINIA is half-staff...
...And, all Flags on the SOUTH DAKOTA State Capitol...

[ 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:
... What was the name of the National Holiday on November 11th before it was renamed "Veterans Day"? ...

[ Representatives of Germany, France, England, and USA after the signing of the Armistice on a rail car in France ]

During this week in American History, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (November 11) of 1918 to be exact, the German Army surrendered to the Allied Forces (France, England, and USA) by signing an 'armistice,' also known as a truce. This act formally ended World War I, started celebrations all over Europe and America, and became a National Holiday known as Armistice Day - signaling the end of what most called "the war to end all wars." Then, in 1954, after fighting through World War II and the Korean War, the United States Congress voted and renamed "Armistice Day" as "Veterans Day" to honor all Veterans who defended our freedoms by serving in the military.

[ U.S. citizens in Philadelphia celebrating the end of World War I on November 11, 1918 - Armistice Day =public domain image ]

[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:

Sadly, there was 1 soldier who died while serving in Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zone last week. U.S. Army SGT (Sergeant) Nathan Irish, 23, of Billings, Montana, was killed during a non-combat activity in Iraq.

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

Unforunately, there were 2 first responders who died in the line of duty last week - Police Officer Gene Hall in Arizona and Washington, D.C.'s Firefighter of the Year, Fireman Alex Graham.

Please, remember all of these fallen patriots and their family and friends in mourning.

[ 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, 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.