pre-Pledge Tribute

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of Sep 2 - 8 ]
[ 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 2 - 8 ]

Today's Flag Status
[ for Sep. 8, 2018 ]
Our Flag flies at full staff, except in 4 states - Kansas, Texas, Maryland, and Ohio are half-staff.

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

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

[ US Army image ]

Thankfully, there were no fallen military in the Global War on Terror last week.
[Note: This week's fallen soldier, CSM Bolyard, will be honored during next week's PPT]

Back on the homefront ...

[ National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Wash. DC = public domain image ]

No law enforcement officers died in the line of duty last week. So far this year, there have been 98 fallen peace officers.

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 126TH BIRTHDAY!!! to the 'Pledge of Allegiance' ...

Students making the 'Bellamy Salute' as start or finish the Pledge of Allegiance [circa 1900s - public domain image]

During this week in American history, on September 8, 1892, as part of a planned tribute to the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America, a youth magazine published Francis Bellamy's "Pledge" - which he hoped would inspire patriotism and unity among school children.
It originally stated: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

At the National Flag Conference in 1923, the Pledge was altered to say, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America ..." instead of "my Flag."

Then in 1942, Congress approved and formally adopted the Pledge as an official US Flag ceremony. Congress also requested putting the right hand over the heart while reciting it because the original, current 'Pledge Salute' of the 1890s now looked like the Nazi salute.

And, finally, on Flag Day in 1954, President Eisenhower asked for and Congress approved the addition of "under God" to the Pledge.
So, the Pledge of Allegiance version we state today, was established in 1954.

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand, place your hand upon your heart, and make the 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.