Old Glory

Lately there has been some discussion about the American flag. I've always had a deep respect for the flag and decided to do a post about it. Perhaps if more people realize what the flag really represents it will be respected more.The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice. The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun.Presidential proclamations and laws authorize the display of the flag 24 hours a day at the following places:

• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland (Presidential Proclamation No.2795, July 2, 1948).

• Flag House Square, Albemarle and Pratt Streets, Baltimore Maryland (Public Law 83-319, approved March 26, 1954).

• United States Marine Corp Memorial (Iwo Jima), Arlington, Virginia (Presidential Proclamation No.3418, June 12, 1961).

• On the Green of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts (Public Law 89-335, approved November 8, 1965).

• The White House, Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No.4000, September 4,1970).

• Washington Monument, Washington, DC., (Presidential Proclamation No.4064, July 6,1971, effective July 4, 1971). Fifty Flags of the United States are displayed at the Washington Monument continuously.

• United States Customs Ports of Entry which are continually open (Presidential Proclamation No.4131, May 5, 1972).

• Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, approved July 4, 1975).

The 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.

• 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 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."
  

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.Before you set out a flag to show your patriotism, be sure to review the flag etiquette rules. For a full list, including the Flag Code, visit USHistory.org.

• A flag should not be flown in inclement weather, unless it is an all-weather flag

• The flag should not be displayed in the dark. One should display a flag from sunrise to sunset unless it will be properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

• Any time the flag is displayed in a place other than from a pole or staff, it should be hung flat with the blue/star portion (referred to as "the union") at the observers upper left. The same is true when it is hung from a window-- the flag should be positioned so that from the street, the union appears in the upper left hand corner

• When a flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised to the very top of the flag pole for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position

• A flag should never be draped across the back of things like boats, nor should it be used as a table cloth

• Flag pins should be worn on the left lapel near the heart

• A flag should never be allowed to touch what lies beneath it (whether the ground, water or an object

I love my country. I love the flag and what it represents. I get emotional when I see the flag being carried by old men who served our country so long ago.. who walk stooped over but proud still! I thank them for their sacrifice. I thank those who sacrifice today. Without them I may not have the freedom to fly the flag I love. IN GLORY MAY SHE WAVE.... FOREVER.