Moment of silence

The scene: We are all sitting in the living room this Memorial Day talking about what it means to be a veteran and who we know that fought for our country. Jackson was jabbering away as usual mostly about the guns and knives that may have been used in war. Jordyn was combing her horses hair and Lucy was dumping water all over the carpet. We had talked about finding a local parade to go to. Jackson has wanted to see a marching band ever since he heard the Brad Paisley song "Online". There is a marching band playing in the background and he has been fascinated with seeing a marching band ever since.   watch video  It is a funny video but not completely child appropriate. So I searched for local parades "online" and after finding out that the closest one was 2 hours away we decided to see if one was being broadcast on television. Aaron got a little sidetracked in his search for a parade when he realized how many of his favorite war movies were showing today. Sweet Jordy, you gotta love her, when the television comes on all else stops. So she is engrossed in the movie "Battan" that Aaron has gotten stuck watching. All of the sudden she says, "Why are you watching this in mute." We laughed and explained that a lot of older movies had little or no sound. So we turned off the tv and observed a moment of silence for all the soldiers and servicemen who have bravely defended our country. Mind you it was a very short moment of silence. How long can you keep a 7, 5, and 1 year old quiet? Not much longer than a moment. 

 We sang the song God Bless the USA at church yesterday along with God Bless America and some other patriotic songs. They had a flag folding ceremony done by 3 Airforce ROTC Cadets and it was very interesting to hear the meaning of the 13 folds in the flag.

Flag Folding Ceremony

The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body of Christ.

1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

4. The fourth 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 times of war for His divine guidance.

5. The fifth 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."

6. The sixth 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.

7. The seventh 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.

8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

9. The ninth fold is a tribute 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.

10. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, 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.

12. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national 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.