pre-Pledge Tribute

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of July 8 - 14 ]
[ 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 8-14 ]

Today's Flag Status
Our Flag flies at FULL STAFF across the USA (on July 15, 2018).

[ 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 July 1-7 ]

[ U.S. Army photo ]

There was 1 military service member who died in a Global War on Terror combat zone last week.
U.S. Army Corporal Joseph Maciel, 20, of South Gate, California, was killed in Afghanistan in an apparent insider attack. Two other soldiers were also wounded.

Back on the homefront ...

[ photos courtesy of police departments and ODMP.org ]

Unfortunately, we did have 2 law enforcement officers who died in line of duty last week -
Police Officer Vu Nguyen of Cleveland, OH, died of a duty-related illness.
And, New York State Trooper, Nicholas Clark was shot and killed.

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 the adage that we're "the home of the free because of the brave" ...

[ The U.S. Army (left), U.S. Navy / Marine Corps / Coast Guard (center), U.S. Air Force (right) Medals of Honor = public domain image ]

During this week, on July 12th of 1862 to be exact, President Abe Lincoln signed a law authorizing the Medal of Honor as the military's highest decoration for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Since its birth, nearly 3,400 men and 1 woman have received the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions.

[ CLICK HERE (and scroll down to #NeverForgottenFriday section) to be inspired by the most recent Medal of Honor recipient ]
[Go to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website to learn more]

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart, and recite together the Pledge of Allegiance while appreciating that we're the "land of the free because of the brave."

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.