This week's (Jan. 13-19) Pre-Pledge Tribute will be posted by 7pm EST on Mon., Jan. 13
[ 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 January 6th - 12th
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 January 6th - 12th
Half-Staff Alerts for January 12
Today, the U.S. Flag is full staff across 48 of the 50 states. It is half-staff in parts of Texas and Michigan. And, in Maryland, the state flag only is at half-staff.
[ GO HERE to review details about the half-staffs and their honorees - including portraits ]
Today, the U.S. Flag is full staff across 48 of the 50 states. It is half-staff in parts of Texas and Michigan. And, in Maryland, the state flag only is at half-staff.
[ 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:
... Birth of a Founding Father in the Caribbean? ...
THIS WEEK'S REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
... Birth of a Founding Father in the Caribbean? ...
[ Statue of Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton, in the U.S. Capitol rotunda = public domain image ]
During this week in American History, on January 11, of 1755 or 1757, Alexander Hamilton was born on Nevis - a small British colony island in the Caribbean. A self-taught reader and public speaker, Hamilton became an orphan at the age of 11 or 13 and began preparations to go to America. His birth year is debated because of conflicting birth documents historians have found. In 1772, Hamilton arrived by ship in Boston, lived with Hercules Mulligan, worked as a cargo trader, and enrolled in college.
[ Hamilton was a Revolutionary War hero, who served as an aide to Gen. Washington and rose to the rank of Major General himself. This painting is of Hamilton leading Continental Army to the defeat of the British Army at the Battle of Yorktown = public domain image ]
He was a 'Founding Father' in the truest sense - having founded the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federalist Party - which promoted approval of the U.S. Constitution. He also established our nation's financial system and served as the first Secretary of Treasury as part of George Washington's first Presidental Cabinet.
[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:
Sadly, there was one U.S. Army soldier and two Defense Department contractors killed in a Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zone week. Specialist Henry Mayfield Jr., from Chicago, Illinois, and two others, who have not been named yet, were killed when terrorists attacked the American base in Manda Bay, Kenya, on Saturday, January 5th.
During 2019, there were 12 U.S. service members who died while deployed to the Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zone of Iraq (per iCasualties.org) and 24 U.S. military who died while serving in the Global War on Terror combat zone of Afghanistan (per iCasualties.org)
During 2019, there were 12 U.S. service members who died while deployed to the Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zone of Iraq (per iCasualties.org) and 24 U.S. military who died while serving in the Global War on Terror combat zone of Afghanistan (per iCasualties.org)
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 - like that of Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton.
by honoring Our Flag and all the stories it tells - like that of Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton.
Thanks for participating in today's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Tribute
Now, go be a good citizen!!!
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)
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.