pre-Pledge Tribute

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of July 29 - August 4 ]
[ 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 29 - August 4 ]

Today's Flag Status
[for Aug 4, 2018]
Our Flag flies at FULL STAFF in all 50 states.

[ SPEAKER 2 - read blue text only ]
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:
[ Killed in the line of duty July 22-28 ]

Thanksfully, there were no fallen service members in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) last week. So far this year, we've had 16 military personnel die while serving in GWOT - Iraq and Afghanistan combat areas

Back on the homefront ...

[ photos courtesy of ODMP and respective police departments ]

Sadly, we had 4 Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty last week.
[from left to right]
Officer Diego Moreno of the Kent Police Department (Washington)
State Trooper (and Navy Veteran) Tyler Edenhofer of the Arizona Public Safety Department
Officer Michael Michalski of the Milwaukee Police Department
Police Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller of the Fort Myers Police Department

Please, pray for these Fallen Patriots and their friends and family in mourning.

[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:]

w[ SPEAKER 3 - read blue text only ]

THIS WEEK'S HISTORICAL REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
... the official motto of the United States of America ...

[ US House of Representatives = public domain image ]

During this week, on July 30, 1956 to be exact, the 84th Congress approved (Public Law - 84-140) and President Eisenhower endorsed "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States of America. Up to that time, the unofficial motto was "E pluribus unum" ( Latin for "Out of many, one" ) which was part of the Great Seal of the U.S. established in 1782. "In God We Trust" is most often seen on American money. It was first published on coins in 1864. Some have pursued lawsuits to stop use of this phrase, but our courts continue to uphold its status.

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart, and together - recite the Pledge of Allegiance

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.