Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of April 6 - 13 - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag & Heralder of the Stories, Lessons, & Virtues woven within

[ This week's Pre-Pledge Tribute will be posted by 2p MST on Tue, 5/28 ]

[ 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 "Class," "Heritage Elementary," or "Scout Troop")__.
Welcome to the Pre-Pledge Tribute for the week of May 19 - 25

The U.S. Flag Status for May 26 
The US & State Flags only across TENNESSEE and MONTANA are at half-staff

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

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

Thankfully, there were no soldiers who died in a Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zone last week. But, since this is the week leading up to Memorial Day, obviously, there are thousands of fallen combatants to remember. We will begin to do so in the weekly reminder below.

And, back on the homefront, ...

[ left to right: Officer West and Firefighters Franck and Lundgaard ]

... unfortunately, one peace officer and two firefighters died in the line of duty - Constable Wille Houston West of Mississippi and Firefighters William Franck of Pennsylvania and Mitchell Lundgaard of Wisconsin

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:
... What is Memorial Day really about? ...

Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday of May each year, is a federal holiday remembering those who died while serving in the US Armed Forces. The origin and history of this holiday is much debated, but most agree it started as "Decoration Day" and grew in popularity after the Civil War. The Civil War produced an unbelievable 600,000+ Americans killed. The deaths created many wives and families in mourning. Women started "decorating" the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers with spring flowers to honor and remember their sacrifice. This annual springtime tradition spread throughout the South and North. But, it wasn't until 100 years later, in 1968, that Congress passed a law officially designating Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. Many Americans think of Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer, but its significance and impact is much deeper than that and should be reinforced with our children, friends, and neighbors each year by explaining and observing the holiday respectfully.

[ Reminder: While Memorial Day is one of the four National Half-Staff observance days we have each year, it's Flag protocol is unique. On Memorial Day, the US Flag is placed at half-staff at sunrise (after quickly raising the Flag to the top of the flagstaff and then slowly, respectfully lowering it to half-staff). Then, at 12 NOON, the US Flag is RAISED TO FULL-STAFF FOR THE REMAINDER OF MEMORIAl DAY (as per the US Flag Code). ]

Now, please, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your hand upon your heart and honor those that have died while on military duty - what Memorial Day is all about.

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.