pre-Pledge Tribute

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of July 1 - 7 ]
[ 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")__.
Welcomes to this week's Pre-Pledge Tribute
powered by Flag Steward
[ for the week of July 1 - 7 ]

Today's Flag Status
Our Flag flies at full staff across the USA, except in New York
[Note: PA is having a special, fallen firefighter half-staff]

[ fair use / education ]

GO HERE for today's 'Reminders from Our Flag' and its details on half-staff honorees

[ SPEAKER 2 - read blue text only ]
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:
[ Died in the line of duty during the week of June 24-30 ]

[ Global War on Terror (GWOT) pics = public domain image collage from Wikipedia sourced from U.S. Army and U.S. Navy ]

Thankfully, there were no military personnel who died while deployed to GWOT (Global War on Terror) combat zones last week.
But, as we continue our Global War on Terror, let us take time to remember those who died defending our freedom and fighting to bring liberty to others. Since 9/11/2001*, there have been 6,938 service members killed while deployed to combat terrorism. During this week of Independence Day celebrations, keep their sacrifices top of mind.
*Stat according to DoD casualty reports

Back on the homefront ...

[ photo courtesy of Mentor PD, Ohio ]

Unfortunately, we did have 1 law enforcement officer who died in line of duty last week -
Police Officer Mathew Mazany of Mentor, OH. He was killed during a traffic stop by a hit-and-run driver.

Please, pray for our fallen Patriots and their families in grief.

[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:
... reinforces our pursuit of "liberty and justice for all."

[ President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as MLK Jr. and members of Congress watch = public domain image ]

During this week, on July 2nd of 1964 to be exact, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - which was begun by JFK. This Act outlawed racial discrimination (that means it stopped unfairness based on people's skin color), as well as religion, gender, and ethnic bias, in public places, employment, and voter registration. Martin Luther King Jr. and Congressional supporters, who helped lead the creation of this new law, attended this historic event at the White House.

[ Civil Rights Act of 1964 - 1st page of the new law, Public Law 88-352 = public domain image ]

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart, and recite together the Pledge of Allegiance while recalling today's historical moment reinforcing our belief in 'liberty and justice for all."

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

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.