Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of March 24 - 30 - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag (half-staff alerts)

[ 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 the Pre-Pledge Tribute for the week of March 24 - 30

Flag Status for March 31st 
Only HAWAII has its US & State Flags at HALF-STAFF across their State.
Additionally, there are 3 other local half-staffs at the Ohio Statehouse and in Fairfield, Ohio, Norwich, New York, and Cortez, Colorado.

[ GO HERE to review details about half-staff honorees - including portraits ]

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

[ SFC Lindsay (left) and SPC Collette (right) ]

Sadly, there were 2 US Army soldiers killed in Afghanistan, a Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zone, this past week. On Friday, March 22nd, Army Specialist Joseph Collette, 29, of Lancaster, OH and Army Green Beret Sergeant First Class Will Lindsay, 33, of Cortez, CO, were killed during combat operations in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan. Both soldiers were from units based out of Fort Carson, CO.
[ GO HERE to learn more about their military careers ]

And, back on the homefront, ...

[ Left to Right; Top to Bottom: Deputy Thompson, Officer Rutherford, Firefighter Bernstein ]
... unfortunately, during this past week, 2 Peace Officers and 1 Firefighter died in the line of duty. There were Kittitas County Deputy Ryan Thompson in Washington, Phoenix Police Officer Paul Rutherford in Arizona, and Philadelphia Firefighter Michael Bernstein in Pennsylvania.
Please, pray for all of these fallen patriots and their family and friends in mourning.

[To review details of this year's first responder LODDs (Line of Duty Deaths), please visit the
Officer Down Memorial Page and Firehouse.com LODDs page]

[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S HISTORICAL REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[ "The Peacemakers," by artist George P.A. Healy, depicts the March 1865 meeting of President Lincoln with (left to right) General Sherman, General Grant, and Admiral Porter = public domain image ]

During this week in U.S. history, on March 27 & 28 in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln met with General Ulysses S. Grant, General William Sherman, and Admiral Porter to plot plans on how to end the Civil War. At this famous meeting, called "The Peacemakers," Generals Grant and Sherman assured Lincoln that the end of the war was near. So, President Lincoln reinforced the importance of keeping freedom for slaves within any terms of Confederate surrender. Just 4 weeks after this strategy session, the Confederate Army's General Lee surrendered and effectively ended the Civil War.

Now, please, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your hand upon your heart and be mindful of the Civil War ending and then the rebuilding of a re-United States of America.

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.