~~ O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountains majesties, Above the fruited plain! ~~
~~ O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern impassioned stress,
A thoroughfare for freedom beat, Across the wilderness! ~~
~~ O beautiful for heroes proved, In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life! ~~
~~ O beautiful for patriot dream, That sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam, Undimmed by human tears! ~~
~~ O beautiful for halcyon skies, For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties, Above the enameled plain! ~~
~~ O beautiful for pilgrims feet, Whose stem impassioned stress,
A thoroughfare for freedom beat, Across the wilderness! ~~
~~ O beautiful for glory-tale, Of liberating strife,
When once and twice, for man's avail, Men lavished precious life! ~~
~~ O beautiful for patriot dream, That sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam, Undimmed by human tears! ~~
I'm sure you've noticed how 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!
According to the National American Legion...
* 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.
 
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