pre-Pledge Tribute

THERE IS NO PRE-PLEDGE TRIBUTE THESE 2 WEEKS (12/23-12/29 and 12/30-1/6)

[ 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 Dec 16 - 22 ]
[ 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 Dec 16 - 22 ]

Today's Flag Status
[ for Dec 23, 2018 ]
Across the USA and its Territories, the US Flag flies at HALF-STAFF to honor the life and service of our 41st US President, George H. W. Bush, and will remain so until sunset on December 30th.

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

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

[ PFC Mikeasky = poor quality US Army image ]

Sadly, there was one US service member killed in the Global War on Terror this past week in Afghanistan. US Army PFC Joshua Mikeasky, 19, of PA, with the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, from Ft Drum, NY, died in a non-combat related incident last week.

[ 5 KC-130 crewmembers (left to right - top to bottom) USMC Maj. James Brophy, LtCol. Kevin Herrmann, Staff Sgt. Maximo Flores, Cpl. Daniel Baker and Cpl. William Carter Ross plus F/A-18 Pilot Capt. Jahmar Resilard ]

Unfortunately, there was also a tragic mid-air collision between US Marine Corps aircraft, a KC-130 refueler and F/A-18 jet, during which 6 Marines died. See the Dec 14th #NeverForgottenFriday dedication to them.

And, back on the homefront.

[ (from left to right and top to bottom) Deputy Hinostroza of California, US Marshal White of Arizona, State Trooper Nagle of New Jersey, Detective Marrero of Florida, Sergeant Bertram of Indiana, Officer Brown of Florida, Sergeant Moreno of Colorado, Officer Flores of Georgia, and Officer Quick of North Carolina ]

In the past few weeks since we last honored Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Line of Duty Deaths (LODDs), 9 peace officers have died. They served and protected communities in New Jersey, Florida, California, North Carolina, Colorado, Indiana, Georgia, and Arizona.

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:
... "No taxation without representation" ...

[ "The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor" by Nathaniel Currier, was exaggerated drawing, made 100 years, after this 1773 event (only a few Colonists tried to disguise themselves as Native Americans =public domain image ]

During this week in American history, on December 16th of 1773 to be exact, Boston's "Sons of Liberty" protested the recently created Tea Act from the British Parliament. They showed their disagreement with the British tax by tossing all the newly arrived tea imports into the water of the Boston harbor. These "Sons of Liberty," many of whom fought for Colonial America's rights in the Revolutionary War and served in the Continental Congress, were upset that British rulers were taxing their tea without giving them a voice or vote in parliament. They called it "no taxation without representation."

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 the Sons of Liberty and their Boston Tea Party.

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.