November 11, 2005
Thirteen Folds
Our church was honored this past weekend when three American soldiers presented our congregation with a flag in recognition of the small acts we have performed for our military at home and aboard. As they presented the flag, the sergeant leading the detail explained the significance of each fold.
Via US History.org:
- The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
- The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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." - The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge llegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it tands, 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 her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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."
A sincere thanks to all of you who have served our nation's military.
Your sacrifices are not forgotten.
Thank you so much for posting this: I didn't know anything about it! I'm passing it around to my blog-buddies....
-- R'cat
CatHouse Chat
Please keep up the good works for our heroes who continue to serve today. They deserve our thanks and most of all our support.
And while I'm here, I'd like to offer an observation; really it is an indictment of the conservatives and Republicans. It’s called Veteran’s issues.
First of all, by in large the majority of active duty, National Guard and reserve service members vote conservative (GOP) as do a lesser majority of retired veterans and even a less number of disabled veterans. You see, the GOP has let the Democratic Party claim Veteran’s issues for themselves. These issues include compensation for disabilities that are in line of duty, funding the VA to adequately meet the needs of veterans, etc. Perhaps the failure of the GOP to embrace these issues is to generalize these programs as “social programs”. They may be perceived as handouts to needy people.
As a disabled veteran, I assure you I do not view Disability Pay as an entitlement, rather as compensation for the disabilities that I’ve incurred due to my 31 years of active duty in the U.S. Army. Without getting into too much detail: I am compensated with retirement pay “at the pleasure of the Congress” which was actually considered to be a portion of my active compensation package. Additionally, because of the physical disabilities I’ve incurred over 30+ years, I receive a Disability Pay provided by the Veterans Administration. (Disability Pay is determined by the percentage of disability, not by rank or time in service.) Many many years ago, in a reduction budget move, the Congress decided to “offset” (reduce) the retirement pay dollar for dollar with the Disability Pay. The Democrats have championed the return of Disability Pay incrementally over ten years (started two years ago). This really should have been an issue the GOP embraced in support of the current military as well as for the veterans that had already served their country. Unfortunately, the GOP Representatives and Senators generally vote against such Veteran’s issues far more frequently than for.
The GOP is looked favorably upon by active military because they stand for a strong defense. However, the party seems quite short-sighted when it comes time to compensate the people who provide that defense. The GOP could/would wholly capture the military voting block, active components and well as retired and disabled veterans, if they would rightfully embrace justly compensating the people that fight the fight as well as those that fought the fight in years gone by.
If you desire an example of the fact that the Democrats champion the Veteran’s issues, just visit DailyKos and view the Veterans Day Open Link. I find it pathetic that they claim such support for the veterans, yet are so quick to condemn our troops in Iraq as employing chemical weapons. But that’s another matter…
According to Snopes
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.
Posted by: snopes at November 12, 2005 01:01 AMSnopes is not the be all end all in military traditions. Personally, I like the rendition given to CY.
Posted by: Old Soldier at November 12, 2005 09:13 PMPerhaps the Snopes version is correct... perhaps not. They provide no support for their contention, and they do occasionally get things wrong.
They are, after all human.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at November 12, 2005 09:41 PM
