X-Pre-Pledge Tribute (3/4-3/10)

[ Note: Before starting this tribute, CLICK TO CHECK 'TODAY'S FLAG STATUS'. If your state is at half-staff, memorize the honoree's name and job/position, so you can say it within today's pre-Pledge tribute script below. We recommend that you read aloud all the ceremony text with 1 exception. Do not read aloud any text with [ brackets ] around it. ]

Good morning, __(insert name of location - like "Heritage Elementary")__
Welcome to today's
Beacon of Honor
Pre-Pledge Tribute
[ for the week of March 4 - 10 ]

Students and teachers you're invited to lead and/or witness this 2-minute ceremony by installing the 'PlaceApp' on your mobile device, scrolling down to the'Pre-Pledge Ceremony' link, and projecting it on your classroom screen.
PLEASE, BE RESPECTFUL and LISTEN CLOSELY

TODAY'S FLAG STATUS:

In our state, the Stars and Stripes flies at ___(say "full" or "half")___ staff today.
[End it here or read the following sentence if there is a half-staff in your state today]
[Optional - only say if your state is at half-staff today:]
The half-staff in our state is to honor ___(say full name of honoree)___ who served as a ___(say public servant job / position - such as firefighter, state rep, etc.)___.

THIS WEEK'S FALLEN HEROES TO HONOR:

During this past week, thankfully, there have been no new fallen military service members serving in the Global War on Terrorism - in Iraq or Afghanistan. So far, in 2018, there have been 3 fallen U.S. Army soldiers - 2 serving in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.
Please, pray for our deployed service members' safe return.

[ from left to right: Deputy Pickett, Police Officer Smith, and Deputy Locklear - photo courtesy of ODMP.org ]

Across the USA, within the past week, three law enforcement officers died while on patrol duty.
Deputy Sheriff Jacob Pickett, age 38, of Boone County Sheriff's Office, Indiana, died on Sunday, March 4th. He had protected and served Boone County, Indiana, for 8 years.
Police Officer Rodney Smith, age 45, of Hickman Police Department, Kentucky, died on Friday, March 2nd. He leaves behind a wife and 6 kids.
Deputy Sheriff Alexis "Thunder" Eagle Locklear, age 24, of Scotland County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina, died on Thursday, March 1st. He had protected and served Scotland County for 9 months and leaves behind a 4-year old child.
Please, pray for these fallen peace officers and their family, friends, and teammates in mourning.

To learn more about these law enforcement officers' lives, please visit the
Officer Down Memorial Page - http://ODMP.org
This Fallen Heroes feature is powered by the:

THIS WEEK'S HISTORICAL REMINDER FROM OUR FLAG:

[ Drawing of Boston Massacre engraved and printed by Paul Revere = public domain image ]

On March 5, 1770, Colonial Bostonians, who felt oppressed by King George III's unfair rules and taxes in Boston, surrounded a group of British soldiers guarding the Boston Customs House and slung snowballs at them. When one of the British soldiers was struck, they lost their cool and opened fire, firing their musket rifles, upon the Bostonians - killing 3 and injuring 8 of them.

[ Drawing of Boston Massacre featuring Crispus Attucks, considered first American killed in Revolutionary War = public domain image ]

The 3 Americans killed instantly were Samuel Gray, a ropemaker, James Caldwell, a sailor, and Crispus Attucks, a dockworker of African - Native American descent. Two more Americans died later from their wounds - Samuel Maverick, an ivory-maker, and Patrick Carr, an Irish immigrant. These killings outraged many Bostonians, including Sam Adams and Paul Revere. These two published drawings of the 'Bloody Massacre' and distributed them to rally Colonists to revolt against the oppressive British rules. Many consider this the beginning of the road to the American War of Independence.

via GIPHY

Now, please, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your hand upon your heart and be mindful of the Boston Massacre and the American revolt that led to our country's independence.

Thanks for participating in today's Flag Steward
Pre-Pledge Ceremony
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)

[Cover of U.S. Government Publication]

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.

Content Sources & Credits:
Sources: Click here to see our Sources for content research
Credits: Unless otherwise noted here, photos displayed each day are public domain images, pictures by Sean Sweeney, or used by permission.

To learn more about the Beacon of Honor nonprofit project, go to http://BeaconOfHonor.org
SF