Pre-Pledge Tribute (7/23-29)

[Note: Before starting this ceremony, CLICK HERE TO CHECK TODAY'S FLAG STATUS. If your state is at half-staff, memorize the honoree's name and job/position, so you can say it within today's pre-Anthem ceremony script below. We recommend that you read aloud, in the best performance voice you have, all the ceremony text with 2 exceptions: 1) do not read caption text below pictures, and 2) do not read any text with [brackets] around it.]

Good afternoon/evening, ___(insert ceremony location name (like "Heritage Elementary")___
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor
Pre-Pledge Tribute
[for the week of July 23 to July 29, 2017]

[Note: You're welcome to play 'America the Beautiful', performed by the U.S. Army Field Band, in the background to enhance today's ceremony experience]

'Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag' ... to Inform and Inspire Citizens

Pre-Pledge History teaser: During this week in 1868, which amendment was adopted as part of the U.S. Constitution? [public domain image]

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

In our state, the Stars and Stripes files 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:]
The half-staff in our state is to honor ___(say full name of honoree)___ who served as a ___(say public servant job / position - such as firefighter, state representative, etc.)___ for our state.]

THIS WEEK'S PRE-ANTHEM TRIBUTE:
We live in the land of the free because of the brave

U.S. Army Sergeant Ray Eubanks, a Medal of Honor recipient [U.S. Army image]

This week's pre-Anthem tribute is dedicated to U.S. Army Sergeant Ray Eubanks of the Parachute Infantry. He displayed extraordinary heroism while battling Japanese in Dutch New Guinea on July 23, 1944.
Sgt. Eubanks was ordered to help an army platoon pinned down by the enemy. Sgt. Eubanks led his squad to within 30 yards of the enemy when heavy fire stopped them. So, Sgt. Eubanks moved forward on his own under cover fire from his squad to within 15 yards of the enemy. He opened fire on the enemy, but he and his rifle were struck by bullets. He then charged the enemy, with a rifle that could only be used as a club, and killed 4 of the enemy before he was hit by more gunfire and killed. Sgt. Eubanks’ heroic action, courage, and example in leadership so inspired his men that they were able to defeat the enemy and free the pinned down platoon.
For risking his life above and beyond the call of duty, Sergeant Eubanks received the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Install the 'PlaceApp' and connect to the Beacon of Honor service to read Sgt. Eubanks' full Medal of Honor citation.
[or go here]

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart,
and make this National Anthem more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells, like that of Sergeant Eubanks,
who died defending our freedoms and liberating citizens of Dutch New Guinea from Imperial Japan.

Thanks for participating in today's Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag
Pre-Pledge Tribute
Now, go be a good citizen!!!

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END OF CEREMONY
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... And, here are more music selections to use with your flag ceremony ...

[Cover of U.S. Government Publication]

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.

Content Sources & Credits:
Sources: Click here to see our Sources for content research
Credits: Unless otherwise noted here, photos displayed each day are public domain images, pictures by Sean Sweeney, or used by permission.

To learn more about the Beacon of Honor nonprofit project, go to http://BeaconOfHonor.org
SF