Meaning of thirteen folds of the flag
Dear Reader,
A few words as we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day, a federal holiday formally observed on the last Monday of May. Often considered the official start of summer, we must never forget that it is a holiday for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their duties while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
If you’ve ever observed the honor guards folding the flag that once draped a casket, they make crisp, precise folds a total of 13 times to complete the military funeral.honor guards folding the flag
- From the National Flag Foundation, this is what each fold means:
Symbolizes life. - Signifies belief in eternal life.
- Honors the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.
- Exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God. It is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.
- Acknowledges our country. 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.”
- Represents 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.”
- Pays tribute to our armed forces, for it is through them that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies.
- Pays 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.
- Honors womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
- Pays 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.
- Represents in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon. It glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
- Represents in the eyes of a Christian citizen, an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
- The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, is when the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
Big Love, Mrs. Abramovitz
May 1, 2021//Comments Off on Meaning of thirteen folds of the flag
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