FLAG STEWARD - Caretaker of Our Flag & Heralder of the Stories, Lessons, & Virtues woven within
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[ start audio track (above), then begin ceremony script below) ]
Gooooooooood day, USA! - especially to you hard-charging student-citizens out there learning at home or school.
​This is Sean Sweeney, Founder of the Flag Steward nonprofit project, leading today's U.S. Flag tribute.  This Pre-Pledge ceremony is meant to provide us all with a moment to honor our past, reflect on the present, and unite as good citizens working to continually improve America.
...

[ pause ] 
Welcome to Flag Steward's
Stories from Our Flag

for Tuesday, September 8, 2020​
Where is Our Flag, the U.S. Flag, lowered to half-staff today, September 8th?
Look at the Half-Staff Flag Map below and go to the Half-Staff Alerts page
​to see where and for whom half-staff honors are being displayed.
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[ CLICK HERE to see Half-Staff alert details, including pics, of Honorees ]
Today's Story from Our Flag
​Happy Birthday to the Pledge of Allegiance
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On this date, September 8, in 1892, a popular youth magazine, called "Youth's Companion," published Francis Bellamy's "Pledge of Allegiance."  At school's across America, the Pledge was to be stated as part of a national celebration of the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America.  It was meant to inspire patriotism and unity among school children.
The Pledge 
originally stated:  "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 
Between 1923 and 1954, the Pledge of Allegiance was changed 3 times to be the version we recite today.


Less and less schools each year are starting their school day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  The U.S. Constitution's First Amendment, giving us freedom of speech, ensures no one is forced to state the Pledge.  But, let us not forget ...

... the old saying, from Founding Father John Dickinson, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall."

... there are only two things that are uniquely known and stated by every U.S. citizen - our Flag and the pledge.  They stand for and state what our country and its citizens should be - something we should continually strive to reach

... the Pledge and Our Flag are the ONLY things that are common and unites all U.S. citizens - and by participating in the Pledge it gives us an opportunity to remember our past triumphs and tragedies, reflect on the present state of Our Nation, and unite as good citizens working to continually improve the United States of America

... the Pledge and Our Flag are the ONLY items that are known and common among all U.S. citizens.  They are meant to inspire us to keep pursuing the fulfillment of their ideals - indivisible with liberty and justice for all

... the Pledge and Our Flag are the ONLY items that are known and are common among all U.S. citizens - and by participating in the Pledge it gives us an opportunity to remember our past triumphs and tragedies, reflect on the present state of Our Nation, and unite as good citizens who promise to work towards truly becoming indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

... ?????

​working towards fulfilling working to continually improve the United States of America

And, while, no one can force you or I to recite itThis Pre-Pledge ceremony is meant to provide us all with a moment 
And, now it's time to ...
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance

Students across America, at school or at home, let's celebrate the 128th Birthday of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Please, stand, place your right hand upon your heart, and state together:
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Thanks for participating in today's U.S. Flag tribute.
This is Sean Sweeney, a fellow Flag Steward, signing-off:

Go out and 'be a stud citizen'
Keep America Beautiful, and remember,
In God We Trust
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​In God We Trust
(Official motto of the United States of America)
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FINALLY! - TEXT (National & State) Half-Staff Alerts:

CLICK HERE to sign-up for National and State-targeted Half-Staff Flag Alert TEXT Notifications
(Many prefer this text alert service because within the Flag Steward app we cannot effectively deliver state-targeted notifications)

​This is a FREE service powered by Flag Steward's nonprofit
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​Flag Steward (formerly known as Beacon of Honor and originally incorporated as GivingVu.org, Inc. in 2013) is a nonpartisan, student-inspired, Veteran-led 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.  Tax ID# 46-2457373
  • Half-Staff Alerts
  • About Us
    • Contact Us >
      • Privacy Policy
    • Supporting Veterans >
      • College Tips for Veterans
  • .