Pre-Pledge Tribute for the week of December 1-7, 2019

[ 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 December 1st - 7th

Half-Staff Alerts for December 7
The U.S. Flag is HALF-STAFF across ALL 50 states and U.S. Territories for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

[ 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 date which will live in infamy" ...

[ Pic from Japanese plane during Pearl Harbor attack. A torpedo is striking the USS West Virginia = public domain image ]

[ USS Arizona (BB-39) - sunk and burning in Pearl Harbor = public domain pic ]

During this week in American History, on December 7 of 1941, to be exact, the Japanese made a surprise air attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The Japanese attack, with bombs and torpedoes, damaged or destroyed 20 U.S. Navy ships and more than 300 aircraft. This invasion motivated America to declare war on Japan; thereby, entering into World War II.

Now, let's listen to the highlights of President Roosevelt's "a date which will live in infamy" speech as we look at the scene of him speaking to the U.S. Congress.

[ Presdient Roosevelt (aka FDR) speaks to Congress the day after the Pearl Harbor attack ]

[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:

[ National Cemetery of the Pacific (aka 'The Punchbowl') in Honolulu, Hawaii - where 53,000+ combatants from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and GWOT are buried ]

During this week, we recall all those Fallen Patriots, military service members and civilians, who died during the Pearl Harbor attack. More than 2,300 Americans were killed - including more than half aboard the badly damaged and sunken battleship, USS Arizona.

[ USS Arizona Memorial atop the sunken battleship in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii ]

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart, and make this Pledge of Allegiance more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and all the 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.