pre-Pledge Tribute

The Pre-Pledge Tribute for the week of Dec 16-22 has not been posted yet. It should be accessible by this afternoon (Mon, Dec. 17th)

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of Dec 9-15 ]
[ 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 9-15 ]

Today's Flag Status
[ for Dec 1 - 30, 2018 ]
Across America, the US Flag flies at HALF-STAFF to honor our 41st US President, George H W. Bush until sunset on Dec. 30th. And, MA is having a concurrent half-staff.

CLICK HERE to get details on today's half-staff

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

[ Lasso, Ross, Emond, Elchin, McClary ]

Unfortunately, there were 5 US servicemen killed in the Global War on Terror, in 2 separate attacks in Afghanistan, recently.
US Army Sergeant Leandro Jasso, 25, from the 75th Ranger Regiment, was killed by enemy small arms fire on Saturday, Nov 24.

And, 4 special forces troops were killed by an IED (improvised explosive device) on Tuesday, Nov 27, in Afghanistan:
US Army Captain Andrew Ross, 29, and Sergeant First Class Eric Emond, 39, of the 3rd Special Forces Group and US Air Force Staff Sergeant Dylan Elchin, 25, with the 26th Special Tactics Squadron
Additionally, US Army Sergeant Jason McClary, 24, with the 4th Infantry Division died from the same IED attack 5 days later.
These losses bring the total number of US Armed Forces deaths in Afghanistan to 14 this year.

Please, pray for these fallen soldiers and their family and friends in mourning.

w[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[ =public domain image ]

Fellow Americans, this week, on December 15th to be exact, we celebrate America's Bill of Rights becoming law. The Bill of Rights were the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. These changes to the U.S. Constitution provided rights and freedoms to individual citizens that weren't originally granted.

[Elementary schools may stop reading here. Middle School & H.S. may continue reading below.]

1. The First Amendment grants the freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, and the right to protest.
2. The Second Amendment gives the right to bear arms
3. The Third Amendment states that soldiers cannot take over a home during war or peace.
4. The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable search and seizure of property.
5. The Fifth Amendment ensures all citizens get due process and cannot be forced to serve as a witness against oneself when accused of a crime.
6. The Sixth Amendment provides a speedy and public trial by jury.
7. The Seventh Amendment ensures a trial by jury for certain civil disputes.
8. The Eighth Amendment prevents cruel and unusual punishment for crimes.
9. The Ninth Amendment states that no one’s Constitutional rights should be used to take away the rights of another citizen.
10. The Tenth Amendment provides each state with powers that are not specifically assigned to the national (federal) government in the Constitution.

[ James Madison (Father of the Constitution and Bill of Rights) = public domain pic ]

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart and make this Pledge of Allegiance more meaningful
by remembering all those who fought for the freedoms provided by the U.S. Constitution and all its amendments.

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.