Reminders from Our Flag - Mar 30 2018 - 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. Before starting this Pre-Pledge tribute, CLICK TO CHECK 'TODAY'S FLAG STATUS'. If your state is at half-staff, memorize the honoree's name and job/position. ]

[ SPEAKER 1 - read blue text only]

Good morning / afternoon / evening, __(insert name of your group - like "Heritage Elementary" or "Rotary Club" or "Girl Scout Troop")__
Welcome to this week's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Tribute
[ for the week of April 8 - 14 ]

In future pre-Pledge tributes, you're invited to follow the script and images at FlagSteward.org/Pledge-Tribute
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 and say public servant job / position - such as police officer, state rep, etc.)___.]

[ SPEAKER 2 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:
[Died in the line of duty during the week of April 1 - 7]

[ Military Line of Duty Deaths for week ending Apr 7th (left to right, top to bottom: US Marine CH-53E crew = Lance Cpl. Taylor J. Conrad, Gunnery Sgt. Derik R Holley, 1st Lt. Samuel D. Phillips and Capt. Samuel A. Schultz // US Air Force Thunderbird Major Stephen Del Bagno // US Army AH-64 crew = Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ryan Connolly and CWO James Casadona = public domain images from USMC, USAF, USA ]

There are 7 fallen military service members to honor - all involved in aviation training accidents.
Four U.S. Marines died in a helicopter crash on April 3rd in California.
On April 4th, a Thunderbird pilot, of the US Air Force's show team, died when his jet crashed during training in Nevada.
And, on April 6th, two U.S. Army pilots died in an Apache helicopter accident in Kentucky.
We thank these military personnel for defending our freedoms and fighting to liberate others.
[ See our #NeverForgottenFriday (April 13) tribute for more details about this heroic soldier. ]

There is one law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty.
Deputy Dale Hallman, served and protected Saluda County, South Carolina
Please, pray for this fallen officer and his friends in mourning.

[See our #EndOfWatchWednesday (Apr. 11) tribute for more details about these heroic Law Enforcement Officers.]
[To leave a message and review the most detailed account of these law enforcement officers' line of duty death, please visit the
Officer Down Memorial Page]
[This Fallen Peace Officers feature is powered by the:]

[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S HISTORICAL REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[ painting by Thomas Nast = public domain image ]

Becoming "one nation" again ...

During this week in U.S. history, after four years of Civil War battles, General Robert E. Lee surrenders the Confederate Army to Union forces at Appomattox, Virginia. Lee's army of 28,000, surrounded on all sides, had no choice but to wave the white flag. General Ulysses S. Grant accepted General Lee's men with open arms, effectively ending the Civil War and stated, "The was is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again."

[ public domain image ]

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your hand upon your heart and be mindful of General Grant's call to become one nation again after the Confederate's surrender.

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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.

Thanks for participating in today's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Ceremony
Now, go be a good citizen!!!