In response to Junes Active Rain challenge "Ole Glory coast to coast" I am posting a flag from a friends home we sold last year in Priest River Idaho. Thank you Wendy and Adam, you are thought of often.
The American Flag is not just a piece of fabric. It is symbolic of the fabric of our society as a nation. An emblem of the freedom we cherish and the pride we carry as a nation in our values and beliefs. At the end of each is the ceremony of retreat, the daily observance in which military personnel pay respect to the flag, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead.
Filled with tradition and meaning
The flag is folded exactly 13 times in remembrance of the original 13 colonies. The triangular shape represents the tri-cornered hat worn by the Patriots of the American Revolution. Each color also has a specific meaning. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. When folded, no red or white stripes show, leaving only the blue field with stars. A properly folded flag should have 4 stars pointing up on one side and 6 stars on the other side.
Did you know that each of the 13 folds have a specific meaning?
- The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
- The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life.
- The third fold is made in honor and tribute of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.
- The fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.
- The fifth fold memorializes the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
- The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we 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.
- The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies.
- The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
- The ninth fold is an honor to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
- The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first-born.
- The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
- The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
May ole glory forever fly above your home.
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