The American flag is sacred, and we should treat it as sacredly as members and families of the military do when we bury those who have served.(Here, I provide photos of recent funerals I have attended at Arlington National Cemetery to help the reader see how respectfully the flag is treated as the symbol of their sacrifice at military funerals.)
Did you know that the 21 gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?
Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times?
If you did know this, you probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, as most do. But the true story is much richer and deeper.
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 Decaur, "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 to 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 are 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 our Mothers, and American womanhood. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the characters of the men and women who have made this entry great, have been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to our fathers, 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 nation's motto, "In God We Trust." We look to the Heavens, our Almighty Father for our Nation's preservation.
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, the
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.
Share this with the children you love and all others who love this symbol of "Liberty and Freedom."
Share this with the children you love and all others who love this symbol of the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, millions of them and their families, who won us and preserve our Liberty and Freedom.
My poem below is to thank all the military wives, girlfriends, mothers and sisters who are left behind to carry on and to raise the children and continue civilizations after the military father, brother, husband, sons are buried.
I have attended the funerals of two uncles, Ray Curley and Billy Curley, at Arlington.
I wrote this poem after attending the funeral for a Navy SEAL who was the husband of the niece of my friend, the Vietnam Army green beret you see saluting the grave of his comrade in the photo above.
I saw the SEAL's widow and children and tried to convey their lives at that moment.
Soft Feet Walk the Wet Green Grass at Arlington
Soft feet walk the wet green grass at Arlington,
Where a young mother cradles her baby and sons
Weeping softly in death-caused grief and pain
As her warrior husband is interred and remembered.
Many sing praises of his courage, bravery and strength
Under enemy fire in fierce battles in foreign lands.
She feels the baby move at her neck and cry out,
Hungry for food but unaware of the greater hunger.
The mother hears more words of praise from the chaplain,
She tries to maintain, but the knot of grief grabs her throat.
She sees the two boys fidgeting and looking about
And wonders how she will explain their father to them one day.
Her pain is now to a degree she knows as few do
The sword that has pierced her heart can never be removed
In this lifetime, and will stay with her until her own death:
Until then there are three children who must be raised.
As Christ hung on a Cross and Mary saw her son taken
So the Holy Spirit could be revealed to the human race,
This mother must protect, nourish, love and kindle
The spirit of these children co-created with her husband.
The wind blows and she looks up to see a man and a flag
Telling her how grateful the nation is for her husband’s sacrifice.
She knows now what every warrior’s widow must know,
The truth of his life work that became his mission:
His love for her was the reason he was willing to die,
That sacrificial love the reason these children live.
She cradles the baby and flag, takes the boys hands,
Stands and walks, despite the grief, to her destiny and duty.
November 14, 2017
Soft Feet Walk the Wet Green Grass at Arlington
Soft feet walk the wet green grass at Arlington,
Where a young mother cradles her baby and sons
Weeping softly in death-caused grief and pain
As her warrior husband is interred and remembered.
Many sing praises of his courage, bravery and strength
Under enemy fire in fierce battles in foreign lands.
She feels the baby move at her neck and cry out,
Hungry for food but unaware of the greater hunger.
The mother hears more words of praise from the chaplain,
She tries to maintain, but the knot of grief grabs her throat.
She sees the two boys fidgeting and looking about
And wonders how she will explain their father to them one day.
Her pain is now to a degree she knows as few do
The sword that has pierced her heart can never be removed
In this lifetime, and will stay with her until her own death:
Until then there are three children who must be raised.
As Christ hung on a Cross and Mary saw her son taken
So the Holy Spirit could be revealed to the human race,
This mother must protect, nourish, love and kindle
The spirit of these children co-created with her husband.
The wind blows and she looks up to see a man and a flag
Telling her how grateful the nation is for her husband’s sacrifice.
She knows now what every warrior’s widow must know,
The truth of his life work that became his mission:
His love for her was the reason he was willing to die,
That sacrificial love the reason these children live.
She cradles the baby and flag, takes the boys hands,
Stands and walks, despite the grief, to her destiny and duty.
November 14, 2017
Find more info on the American flag here.
