pre-Pledge Tribute

PRE-PLEDGE TRIBUTE FOR WEEK OF SEP. 23 WILL BE POSTED ON MONDAY, 9/24

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of Sep 16 - 22 ]
[ 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 Sep 9 - 15 ]

Today's Flag Status
[ for Sep. 22, 2018 ]
Our Flag flies at full staff across the USA.

[ GO HERE to find details about today's half-staff honorees ]

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

[ public domain image ]

Thankfully, no one died during Global War on Terror operations last week.
During this week in 2001, on September 20th to be exact, President George W. Bush declared "War on Terror." Since that time, 6950 military service members have died while serving in GWOT combat zones.

Back on the homefront ...

[ (Left to Right, Top to Bottom) Tinsley, Reyes, Hull, McClelland and Kunze = Pics from Law Enforcement agencies and ODMP.org ]

Sadly, five law enforcement officers died in the line of duty last week.
Police Officer Tinsley (Indiana), Officer Reyes (California), Officer Hull (Texas), Chief of Police McClelland (Georgia), and Deputy Kunze (Kansas)

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

[To leave a message and review the most detailed account of this year's law enforcement officers' line of duty deaths, 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 REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:
... Happy Birthday to the our U.S. Constitution ...

[ Delegates sign the U.S. Constitution on Sep 17, 1787 = public domain image ]

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

After 4 months of discussions, debate, and revisions, 39 delegates from 12 states approved and signed the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787; thereby, replacing the Articles of Confederation from 10 years earlier. The Constitution is the 'supreme law of the land' and has been amended 27 times since its ratification. It establishes a balance of power within the U.S. Government Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches and gives certain powers to state governments.

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart, and make this Pledge of Allegiance more meaningful
by honoring Our Flag and all the inspiring stories it tells.

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.