FLAG DAY IS JUNE 14. It’s a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. It was first observed in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Continental Congress’ adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day as a national celebration, but it wasn’t officially recognized until 1949 when President Harry Truman signed the National Flag Day Bill.
I think we all know that flags are symbols. They are meant to represent something. Ours represents our independence and our unity as a nation. It has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting what it symbolizes. We even have one standing proudly on the moon!
In 1996, President William J. Clinton issued a proclamation in which he urged every American to observe “with pride and all ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day…as a time to honor our Nation…”
Several times during my ministry I have shared in military funerals. One day a very significant lesson dawned on me. Not once have I seen the American flag go down with the deceased. At every instance the flag was removed at the end of the service, and neatly folded and handed to the survivors. It’s true. A nation cannot die for someone; it is powerless to do so; indeed it must not die. A nation survives, and the removal of the flag from the casket symbolizes that, though all its citizens die, the nation continues.
The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded.
1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in 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."
6. 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.
7. 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 her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
9. The ninth fold is a tribute 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.
10. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, 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.
12. The twelfth 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.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day as a national celebration, but it wasn’t officially recognized until 1949 when President Harry Truman signed the National Flag Day Bill.
I think we all know that flags are symbols. They are meant to represent something. Ours represents our independence and our unity as a nation. It has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting what it symbolizes. We even have one standing proudly on the moon!
In 1996, President William J. Clinton issued a proclamation in which he urged every American to observe “with pride and all ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day…as a time to honor our Nation…”
Several times during my ministry I have shared in military funerals. One day a very significant lesson dawned on me. Not once have I seen the American flag go down with the deceased. At every instance the flag was removed at the end of the service, and neatly folded and handed to the survivors. It’s true. A nation cannot die for someone; it is powerless to do so; indeed it must not die. A nation survives, and the removal of the flag from the casket symbolizes that, though all its citizens die, the nation continues.
The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded.
1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in 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."
6. 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.
7. 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 her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
9. The ninth fold is a tribute 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.
10. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, 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.
12. The twelfth 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.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!
posted by kazookid | 7:53 AM
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