I received this a while back and have always enjoyed the rich traditions of our country. Having done a few of these flag folding ceremonies before, I appreciate the ceremony even more now. Enjoy.
Quote:
DO YOU KNOW?
Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?
Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!
The 1st fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
The 4th 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 time of war for His divine guidance.
The 5th 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.
The 6th 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 the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The 7th 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.
The 8th 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.
The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nations 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.
There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why. Share this with the children you love and all others who love the symbol of "Liberty and Freedom"
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
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Cal, Thanks, thats very interesting. I knew that there was a reason for each fold and shape, but I never knew what the significance was.
On an interesting side note; When my Dad died, I made the arrangements with the local Marine base to have him "Buried with Honors". They requested if I had a particular flag that I wanted to use, or if they should provide one. I told them that I did'nt have one that was particularly "special" so...They provided one that had flown for a day over the White House.
They also did something else that was unexpected. After the salute, they policed up the brass and folded it right up into the Flag.
A military funeral "With Honors" is a very humbling experience.
Wow.... Thanks Cal! I remembered some of it, but not all.
Now to "stir the pot" as the saying goes.... Re-read the 13 folds of the flag again, carefully. Read between the lines, if you get my drift... Notice how important Christianity is to America?
The 4th fold mentions "trusting in God....."
The 6th fold recites the Pledge of Allegiance complete with "....under God" as it was originally intended.
The 8th fold indirectly points a reference to Psalm 23.
The 11th fold references the Old Testament.
The 12th fold references the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost).
The 13th fold says it all.... "IN GOD WE TRUST".
I'd just LOVE to see the 9th circus court try to take away the meaning of folding the American Flag 13 times!!!!
Claim: Twenty-one guns are fired in national military salutes because the digits in 1776 add up to 21.
Status: False.
Cannons became part of weaponry salutes in the 14th century. A just-emptied cannon was a useless piece of ordnance and so made a fine visible display of the lack of hostile intent. Warships took to firing honorary seven-gun salutes, with that number likely chosen for its astrological and biblical significance. Because those crewing cannons on land had access to far greater supplies of powder, they were able to fire three guns (a number chosen for its mystical significance) for every shot fired afloat, making the honorary salute by shore batteries 21 guns.
Eventually, an understanding was reached that the international salute should be established as 21 guns. Although the year 1776 is deeply significant to Americans and the total of its digits does add up to 21, it played no part in this drama. (Indeed, the custom of the 21-gun salute antedates the American Revolution by at least several decades.)
Claim: An American flag is traditionally folded thirteen times because each of the folds has a special meaning.
Status: False.
This
item about the meanings of the folds in a flag reminds me of a joke told by deadpan comedian Steven Wright: "Why is the alphabet in that order? Is it because of that song?" As often happens, a "meaning" has been grafted onto some facet of everyday life, to the point that the symbolic, after the fact meaning has been confused with the original purpose.
Traditional flag etiquette prescribes that before an American flag is stored or presented, its handlers should twice fold it in half lengthwise; then (from the end opposite the blue field) make a triangular fold, continuing to fold it in triangles until the other end is reached. This makes a triangular "pillow" of the flag with only the blue starred field showing on the outside, and it takes thirteen folds to produce: two lengthwise folds and eleven triangular ones.
The American flag isn't folded in this manner because the thirteen folds correspond to the original thirteen states, or because the folding produces a shape resembling a cocked hat, or because each of the folds has a special symbolic meaning. The flag is folded this way simply because it provides a dignified ceremonial touch that distinguishes folding a flag from folding an ordinary object such as a bedsheet, and because it results a visually pleasing, easy-to-handle shape. That this process requires thirteen folds is coincidental, not the product of design.
An even more elaborate flag folding ceremony has since been devised for special occasions such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day, one which incorporates the association of particular symbolic meanings with each fold of the flag. These associations are "real" in the sense that they mean something to the people who participate in the ceremony, but they are not the reason why a flag is folded in the traditional thirteen-step manner. As was the case with the candy cane, an invented (religious) symbolism has become so widespread that it is now often mistakenly assumed to have been an integral part of the origins of the item it is associated with.
Last updated: 19 October 2002
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American Flag--Do You Know?
