by Francis Scott Key, 1814
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
This past weekend, I went to a funeral with Bo and his family. The man was a WWII vet and he received a military service, complete with the US flag draped over the coffin. Of course, with that goes the folding of the flag ceremony, playing of 'Taps' and flag presentation. Afterwards, I was sitting with Louis and Lillian (Bo's parents). Louis (who is also a WWII vet and recently got to go to D.C. to see the military monuments) began to tell us each fold of the flag represents 'something', but he didn't know what they were. I looked it up and with today being July 4th (no, July 4th doesn't just mean bbq, beer and parties...), I thought I would share. I'm also going to print it for Louis and drop it by today. After all, tomorrow is his 86th birthday!
Flag Folding CeremonyThe flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.
In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat 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. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.
(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to unravel and fold the flag into a quarter fold--resume reading when Honor Guard is standing ready.)
- 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 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 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 KingSolomon, 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."
(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag--after the inspection, resume reading.)
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.
6 comments:
I love "The Star-spangled Banner" ~ and enjoyed reading about "The Flag Folding Ceremony" ~ Ally x
great entry! Happy 4th
hugs
d
Have a happy fourth of July weekend and sip that bloody mary slowly (you know how you get) <grin>
Jimmy
I never knew that there was a meaning behind every fold, and am happy that now I do.
Thanks for imparting the story of the flag folding ceremony, I didn't know it had that much meaning behind it! Today I met a man in Walmart who had been on the "Honor Flight" and served in WWII. I stopped to thank him for his service. I was immediately impressed that despite his age, and the years that had passed, his memories of his service to our country were intact and very detailed. He shared many stories with me in our brief time together. I was honored to have met this man and hear him relive his days of service to our great country!
Thanks for sharing the story behind the flag folding ceremony. I never knew it. All I KNEW for sure as a patrol guard who had to fold the flag each day in Catholic elementary school was that if it did not end up with the stars visible, it was "wrath of the nuns" time (and possible eternal damnation)!
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick
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