pre-Pledge Tribute

[ Disappointingly, the Pledge has become a trivial, mundane task in most of America's classrooms. So, Flag Steward is disrupting the Pledge - making it more engaging and meaningful by way of our tech-driven, civic-minded weekly program called the "Pre-Pledge Tribute." Give Our Flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and your Citizenship the honor and respect they deserve by performing a weekly Pre-Pledge Tribute.
Students, Scouts, and Civics Groups are invited to perform a weekly Pre-Pledge Tribute by following the script below, ideally led by 3 speakers. ]

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of Jan 20 - 26 ]
[ 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")__.
Welcome to this week's Pre-Pledge Tribute
powered by Flag Steward
[ for the week of Jan 20 - 26 ]

Today's (Jan. 26th) Flag Status 
Our Flag is at full staff in 48 of 50 states. Florida, Alabama, and New York City (NYC - only) have the US and State Flags at half-staff.
[ Note: Pennsylvania's State Flag is at half-staff ]

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

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

Unfortunately, there were 4 US military service members killed in Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zones last week.
[ pictured from left to right ]
A suicide bomb attack on Wednesday, Jan. 16, in Manbij, Syria, killed 1 Army, 1 Navy, and 1 DoD (Department of Defense) personnel:
- US Army Green Beret / Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Farmer
-US Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician Shannon Kent
-Department of Defense intelligence specialist, and former Navy SEAL, Scott Wirtz

And, enemy small arms fire in Afghanistan killed US Army Ranger SGT Cameron Meddock

Back on the homefront ...

... Sadly, during this past week, 1 First Responder died in the Line of Duty. Deputy Ray Horn served and protected Comal County, Texas.

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]

w[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
... Celebrating the life of one of America's most well-known Patriots - by way of his signature ;) ...

[ public domain image ]
During this week in American history, on January 23rd of 1737, to be exact, John Hancock was born just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. He inherited his uncle's merchant business to become one of the richest men in the colonies.
He used his position of power to do good by:
-Financially supporting America's fight for independence
-Encouraging the Tea Party by stating, "Let every man do what is right in his own eyes."
-Serving as Colonel in the Boston militia
-Leading the Continental Congress that wrote the Declaration of Independence. As President of the Congress he was the first and biggest to sign it.
-Completing his life as 1st and 3rd Governor of the newly formed state of Massachusetts

Remember him beyond the "John Hancock" signature. He was an American Merchant, Stateman, and Patriot who led the way to Independence.

[ John Hancock's famous signature on the Declaration of Independence ]

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 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.