(Meaning behind the 13 folds)
As most of you know, this past November 11th was the day that we honor those who served our country, known aptly as Veterans Day. I thought with today’s environment, we could all use a little nostalgia. So, indulge me as I explain a small portion of the history of that beautiful American Flag under which our Veterans served.
I know… I know… We have a Flag Day for that subject, and I have covered the subject already in a previous Flag Day article.
Still, with the lack of respect “Old Glory” gets from some of America’s citizens these days, perhaps a refresher course is due. I know our Veterans will agree that it deserves repeating.
Call her “Ole Glory”, “Stars and Stripes”, “Stars and Bars”, “Star-Spangled Banner”, or “Grand Old Flag,” the American flag is perhaps the single, most important national symbol we as a nation possess. She has seen more of America’s finest defend her with their blood and their lives than we can possibly fathom.
It takes a special kind of soul to offer up their lives to defend a people, a way of life, an ideology. Bravery beyond measure; unimaginable personal strength; and an unwavering love for his/her country are just the tip of the requirement iceberg. But, that is the subject of another article. It requires more space than I have here today.
Let’s go back to that flag our Veterans love so much. Another fact you might not have known is that everything about this proud banner is by design a symbol to remind each of us that this flag belongs to the people and the right and the honor to fly it high was paid for with the blood shed by the untold number of soldiers, police, and fireman over the years, and who are still paying for that right today.
Let me explain her story:
If you count the stripes, you will find 13 of them (7 red and 6 white), one for each of the 13 original colonies that gave birth to our great nation.
There are 50 stars against a field of blue. The number of stars has changed through the years. A new star was added to represent each new state added to our union. The 50-star flag that we know today was approved on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the fiftieth and final state added to the United States.
Have you ever wondered why our flag is red, white, and blue? Why would we take the colors of the government we had just fought a bloody war from which to free ourselves? Although some say the colors were not given significance until after the design, other historians believe the colors were chosen as a reminder of what America stood for then and still stands for now. The red in our flag represents the hardiness and valor of its people. The white symbolizes purity and innocence and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Are there guidelines regarding when and how to fly the flag? Good question and yes, there are guidelines though many do not adhere to them. Our flag is recommended to be displayed from sunrise to sunset. It should be raised quickly and lowered gently and ceremoniously. It should be displayed daily, especially on holidays. It should be lowered and removed during inclement weather. It should never be tipped toward any person or object, nor should it touch anything beneath it, and absolutely should never touch the ground.
Should the American flag be displayed flat against a wall or a window, or in a vertical orientation, the blue field of stars should always be uppermost and to the left of the observer.
If you ever watched as the American flag was being folded, you might wonder why it is folded in such a manner and why is that manner of folding is so important. Let me explain each fold:
1st fold is folded from the stripe’s sides toward the star’s side. It represents the symbol of life.
2nd fold signifies our belief in that eternal life.
3rd fold is made in honor and to pay tribute to the veterans who have departed our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.
4th fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.
5th fold is an acknowledgment of 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.”
6th fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the USA, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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 enemies, foreign and domestic.
8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered 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.
9th fold is an honor 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.
10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first-born.
11th fold in the eyes of Hebrew citizens 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.
12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
13th and final fold, results in the flag being completely folded, and the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.” (When folded, the stars on a field of blue are all that should be visible.) Perhaps, this explanation will bring new meaning each time we see that folded flag.
I hope you don’t mind that I ask during your next Veterans’ Day parade if you notice that quiet individual standing at attention and placing his/her hand over his/her heart, or proudly saluting it as it passed by. He or she will be there and there’s a good chance that he/she might have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Their love for that precious flag is always apparent as they remember their fellow soldiers who fought and, in many cases, died defending it. Do not tell them that the flag is just a piece of material… Knowing eyes that only a soldier can possess will tell you that they know different… This flag is sacred… It is the people’s flag.
I’d like to wrap up by telling you of an experience I had with a British friend while I was visiting them in London, England a few years ago.
We were eating dinner and were engaged in friendly conversation in Oxford, England when one of them asked, “What is this thing with you Yanks and your American Flag? You fly them on every street corner and nearly every home. It’s like you’re obsessed with it or something.”
He wasn’t being disrespectful. He was merely curious, and I was all too happy to explain the “obsession” we Americans have with our flag.
“Pete,” I said. “Your flag is the flag of the British government, the Queen’s flag, so to speak. You respect it and you should. However, our American Flag is the flag of the people. Said to have been sewn together by a local seamstress named Betsy Ross of Philadelphia in June 1776. It doesn’t belong to the American government, nor does it belong to me. It belongs to each one of us, it belongs to all of us. Our Constitution doesn’t say, “we the king” or “we the queen.” It says, “We the people.” Our grandparents, parents, husbands/wives, brothers/sisters, and sons and daughters fought, bled, and died for OUR flag. The very least we can do is remember why they did that… They did that to ensure that we, the American people, remain free to be whatever we want to be as long as we are willing to work for it and it does not infringe on the rights of others.”
Pete looked to be deep in thought for a few seconds and then said, “That makes sense. I think I understand it now. It’s the togetherness as one people, not one government, that you are so connected to and proud of. Thanks for not being offended and explaining that way.”
I pray that our “togetherness” can withstand the divisive winds that plague our nation during these turbulent times.
I heard a Veteran comment after being thanked for his service in a way that has never left me.
He said, “If you really want to thank me for my service, live your life in a way that would have been worth me dying for.”
Enough said.
God Bless
Patricia Richards Harris
Doddridge County Historical Society