MILITARY FUNERALS

Don D · June 2004

Having no idea as to the accuracy of this, if true, I thought it was sorta informative.

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you ever noticed the honor guards pay 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!

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.

mushroomHR · June 2004

Don, that was extremely informative. I had no idea there was any significance in the way the flag is folded. Thanks for the insight.

mdm · June 2004

I knew about the 21-gun salute, but not the flag folding. This is very informative. Thank you!

TN HR · June 2004

Neat! I did not know about the flag. I'm not sure the 21 gun salute is accurate since it's been a tradition well before the American Revolution. I think I remember reading somewhere that it originated from the number of volleys a land-based artillery battery could fire in succession without reloading?

The flag story was touching.

Gene

LarryC · June 2004

And when they present the flag to the surviving family, they say, "On behalf of the President,the Armed Forces of the United States, and a grateful nation, I present you this flag, a symbol of our Great Republic, for which our Departed Comrade has honorably served."

The next time you hear Taps being played, here are the words you can silently sing along with:

Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh

Don D · June 2004

Here's a rather meaningless addition to the thread. When they did full military honors at my dad's funeral, I went over to the Air Force Bus where the bugler and rifle saluters were and asked them for the spent casings. Ironically I was making my parents some brass windchimes on the day he died. I rebuilt the chimes to incorporate the spent brass casings and they still chime 20 years later on my mother's patio.

LarryC · June 2004

We received the spent casings from my dad's funeral too. My sister put them with the flag. Also, it was the first time my mother, or any of us, learned of all the campaigns my father flew in during the war. He never spoke of it.

sonny · June 2004

I am particularly fond of another verse:

Thanks and praise
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
'Neath the stars
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know
God is nigh

MILITARY FUNERALS

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