Pre-Pledge Tribute (3/11-3/17)

[ Note: Before starting this tribute, CLICK TO CHECK 'TODAY'S FLAG STATUS'. If your state is at half-staff, memorize the honoree's name and job/position, so you can say it within today's pre-Pledge tribute script below. We recommend that you read aloud all the ceremony text with 1 exception. Do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. ]

Good morning / afternoon / evening, __(insert name of your group - like "Heritage Elementary")__
Welcome to today's
Flag Steward
Pre-Pledge Tribute
[ for the week of March 11 - 17 ]

In future pre-Pledge Tributes, you're invited to follow the script and images by installing the PlaceApp.
PLEASE, BE RESPECTFUL and LISTEN CLOSELY

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

In our state, the Stars and Stripes flies at ___(say "full" or "half")___ staff today.
[End it here or read the following sentence if there is a half-staff in your state today]
[Optional - only say if your state is at half-staff today:]
[Optional = The half-staff in our state is to honor ___(say full name of honoree)___ who served as a ___(say public servant job / position - such as firefighter, state rep, etc.)___.]

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:

[ = image from Facebook ]

Last week, there was one new fallen military service member serving in the Global War on Terrorism that died. U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Maitland Wilson died of a non-combat injury. So far, in 2018, there have been 4 fallen U.S. Army soldiers - 3 serving in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.

[ from left to right: Police Officer Christopher Ryan Morton, Deputy Pickett, and Police Officer Smith - photo courtesy of ODMP.org ]

And, unfortunately, last week, across the USA, three law enforcement officers died while on patrol duty.
Police Officer Christopher Ryan Morton, protected Clinton, Missouri
Deputy Sheriff Jacob Pickett, served Boone County, Indiana
Police Officer Rodney Smith, protected Hickman, Kentucky.
Please, pray for these fallen peace officers and their family, friends, and fellow peace officers in mourning.

[To learn more about these law enforcement officers' lives, please visit the
Officer Down Memorial Page]
[This Fallen Patriots feature is powered by the:]

THIS WEEK'S HISTORICAL REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[ Alexander Hamilton serving with and leading NY artillery = public domain image ]

During this week in American history, on March 13, 1776, Alexander Hamilton was commissioned a captain of a New York artillery company. His outstanding leadership in battle caught the attention of General George Washington - who promoted Hamilton to be his personal aide. Hamilton served as a great advisor and assistant to Washington for the next 4 years until his command was needed to help drive American troops to a final victory over the British Red Coats at the Battle of Yorktown.

[ Portrait of Hamilton as the first Secretary of U.S. Treasury = public domain image ]

After his Revolutionary War heroics, Alexander Hamilton became a member of the Continental Congress and was appointed the first U.S. Secretary of Treasury by newly-elected President George Washington. His financial brains helped set-up a strong American economic system. And, of course, his life-story is now forever known and idolized on stage in Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Hamilton" - a rap musical performing before sell-out crowds from coast-to-coast.

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your hand upon your heart and be mindful of Alexander Hamilton, and other Patriots, who put "Country" before themselves on the way to establishing the United States of America - "the land of the free and home of the brave."

Thanks for participating in today's Flag Steward
Pre-Pledge Ceremony
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)

[Cover of U.S. Government Publication]

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.

Content Sources & Credits:
Sources: Click here to see our Sources for content research
Credits: Unless otherwise noted here, photos displayed each day are public domain images, pictures by Sean Sweeney, or used by permission.

To learn more about the Beacon of Honor nonprofit project, go to http://BeaconOfHonor.org
SF