Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of August 18 - 24 - FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag (half-staff alerts)

[ The Pre-Pledge Tribute for this week (August 25-31) will be posted by 12p EST today, Monday, August 26th ]

[ Note: We recommend 3 student-speakers lead and read aloud the 3 parts of the pre-Pledge ceremony. Do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. ONLY READ THE TEXT IN BLUE. ]

[ 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 August 18th - 24th

Half-Staff Alerts for August 25
The U.S. Flag is full staff across 46 of 50 States.
ALL FLAGS across MONTANA are half-staff.
And, in ILLINOIS, MASSACHUSETTS, and CALIFORNIA there are local half-staffs ordered.

[ GO HERE to review details about the half-staffs and their honorees - including portraits ]

[ SPEAKER 2 - read blue text only ]
THIS WEEK'S FALLEN PATRIOTS TO HONOR:

Sadly, there was one military service member KIA (Killed In Action) in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) recently. U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Scott A. Koppenhafer, 35, of Mancos, Colorado, was killed by small arms fire during combat action in Iraq. Koppenhafer was part of the 2nd Marine Raider Battlalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command out of Camp Lejeune, NC. He is survived by his wife and 2 children.

[CLICK HERE to learn more about military careers (decorations, deployments, etc.)]

And, back on the homefront, ...

[ Tribute below matches order of pictures of Peace Officers & Firefighters who died in the line of duty above.]

... Unfortunately, 4 peace officers and 3 firefighters died while on duty recently. The 4 peace officers were Correctional Administrator Debra Johnson of Tennessee, New York State Trooper Jeff Cicora, California Highway Patrol Officer Andre Moye, and Deputy Stephanie Schreurs of Iowa. The 3 firefighters were volunteer Firefighter Norman Klenow of Michigan, Lieutenant Brian Sullivan of FDNY (Fire Department New York City), Assistant Fire Chief Walter Wagaman of Pennsylvania.

Please, pray for all of these fallen patriots and their family and friends in mourning.

[ To review details of these 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 REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[ Instead of a historical moment, we're starting the new school year by reviewing some Flag etiquette (customs) = public domain image ]

What should students do when walking by a flagpole where Our Flag is being raised or lowered or when Our Flag passes by in a parade?
Should they...
1) act like they don't see it and keep walking?
or
2) stop and stand quietly?

Well, #2 is a good start, but Our Flag Code asks that:
during the raising or lowering of Our Flag or when the U.S. Flag is passing in a parade, citizens should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over their heart until the US Flag has been fully raised, lowered, or passed by. And, if wearing a hat, citizens should remove their hat and hold it over their heart.

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.