Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of June 9 - 15 - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag (half-staff alerts)

[ NOTE: On the week of August 19th, the Pre-Pledge Tributes will return for schools / students to perform. ]

[ 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 June 9 - 15

The U.S. Flag Status for June 14th 
US & State Flags across Hawaii and Alabama are half-staff
State Flag only in Maryland is half-staff.
And, there is a local half-staff in New York.

[ 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 military personnel who died in Global War on Terror (GWOT) combat zones the past 2 weeks. Unfortunately, though, there were 2 military line of duty deaths. US Marine Lance Corporal Sandoval-Pereyra and US Military Academy Cadet Morgan were killed in separate, but similar tactical vehicle rollover accidents.

And, back on the homefront, ...

[ top & bottom: East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Officer Lieutenant Steven Whitstine, Seminole County Tribaal Police LIeutenant Joseph Johnson, Grand Prairie Police Officer Castaneda, Boise Firefighter Charles Ruffing, Cal Fire Chief Stacy Hamilton, and Maryland Heights Firefighter Chris Moore ]

... sadly, 3 peace officers and 3 firefighters died while on duty in the past 2 weeks. The 3 peace officers were Lieutenant Whitstine of Louisiana, Lieutenant Johnson of Florida, and Officer Castaneda of Texas. The 3 firefighters were Firefighter Ruffing of Idaho, Captain Hamilton in California, and Firefighter Moore in Missouri.

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:

During this week, on June 11, of 1776, a committee of 5 delegates was selected by the Continent Congress to write the Declaration of Independence. The five were Ben Franklin of Pennsylvania, John Adams of Massachusetts, Robert Livingston of New York, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and the eloquent, main author Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.
Approximately, 2 weeks later, the first writing of the declaration was presented to the Continental Congres for review on June 28th.

[ Left to Right: Sherman, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, and Livingston = public domain image ]

Now, please, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your hand upon your heart and state the Pledge of Allegiance.

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.