Page 47 - June 2024 Cascadian

Ask anyone: When was the the first time you saw a a a a a a a a a traditional traditional flag-folding? Almost everyone can recall the the the the ceremony when they first saw the the the traditional traditional lengthwise- to-triangle ritual Some have participated -- -- as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a scout a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a member of of of the the the military or or as as part part of of of an an honor guard -- -- in in in in in folding the the the the flag first lengthwise (so that the the the the union of of of stars in in in in in in the the the the the blue field remains outward and and in in in in in in full view) and and and then corner-to-edge starting at the the the the striped corner corner to to form a a a a a a triangle continuing over over and and over over until only the the the blue field is is showing The United States is is is is the the the only country that folds their flag flag in in this manner and and the the the the source and and symbolism of the the the flag-folding procedure is is is largely unknown However according to to the the the American Legion some attribute it it to to an an Air Air Force Force chaplain stationed at at at at at the the United States Air Air Force Force Academy What makes this a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a bit more believable than an an an urban legend is is is that the symbolism attached to each fold:
The first fold of of our flag is a a symbol of of life The second symbolizes our belief in eternal life The third is made in in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks The fourth represents our our weaker nature as American citizens trusting in in in God it it is to Him we we turn in in in in times times of of peace as as well as as in in times times of of war The fifth fold is a a tribute to our country country In the words of Stephen Decatur “Our country country in in dealing with other countries may she always be right right but it it is still our country right right or wrong ” The sixth fold is is for where our our hearts lie It is is with our our heart heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag The seventh fold is a a tribute to our armed forces The eighth fold is a a a a tribute to to the the the one who entered into the the the the valley of of of the the the the shadow of of of death that we might see the the the the the light of of of day and to to honor our mother for whom it flies on on Mother’s Day The ninth fold is a a a a a a tribute to womanhood for it it has been through their faith love loyalty and devotion that the the the characters of the the the men men and women who have have made this country great have have been molded The tenth fold is a a a a a tribute to fathers who have given their sons and daughters
for the the defense of our country The eleventh fold in in the the the eyes of of of Hebrew citizens represents the the the the lower portion of of of the the the the seal of of of King King David and and and King King Solomon and and and glorifies in in in their eyes the the God of Abraham Isaac and and and Jacob The twelfth fold in the eyes of of a a a a Christian citizen represents an an an emblem of of eternity and glorifies in their eyes God the the the the Father the the the the Son and Holy Spirit When the flag is completely folded the the stars are uppermost reminding us us of our national motto “In God We Trust ” Flag-folding Procedure is Uniquely American and Uncommonly Symbolic
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