pre-Pledge Tribute

... A new Pre-Pledge Tribute for the week of Sep 30 - Oct 6 will be posted by noon MST on Monday, 10/1 ...

[ Pre-Pledge Tribute for week of Sep 23 - 29 ]
[ 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 23 - 29 ]

Today's Flag Status
[ for Sep. 29, 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:

[ Battlefield Cross = public domain image ]

Thankfully, no one died during Global War on Terror operations last week.
Since 2001, 6,950 military service members have died while serving in GWOT combat areas.

Back on the homefront ...

[ (Left to Right) Armando Gallegos and Mark Stasyuk = Pics from Law Enforcement agencies and ODMP.org ]

Sadly, two law enforcement officers, Corrections Officer Armando Gallegos and Police Officer Mark Stasyuk, both from California, died in the line of duty last week.

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:
... Highlights a special day and organization that has dedicated itself to forever remembering Our fallen military sons & daughters ...

[ Pic posted on Pinterest from unknown author ]

Today, the last Sunday of September, is called, by Presidential Proclamation, Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day.

This day honors Gold Star mothers (and families) who lost sons or daughters while serving in the U.S. military. The Gold Star mothers organization was first established by Congress back in 1936. Membership is open to any woman that has lost a son or daughter while on active duty in the U.S. military.
Gold Star Mothers and families have inspiring stories about their fallen service member for all of us to learn. So, when you meet a Gold Star Mother or family take time to listen and comfort them because its the least we can do. And, if you have such opportunity, be a good citizen and, find out how you can help them carry on their fallen service member's legacy.

[ Service Flag: Families of servicemen hang a banner in the windows of their homes or cars. The Service Flag has a star for each family member in the military. Living military service members, deployed to combat zones, are represented by a blue star, and those who were killed in combat are represented by a Gold Star. ]

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 - like those of our Gold Star Families.

Thanks for participating in today's
Flag Steward Pre-Pledge Tribute
Now, go be a good citizen!!!

################
END OF CEREMONY
################

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.