Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Flag Day



The American Flag
Joseph Rodman Drake, 1819



When freedom, from her mountain height Unfurled her standard to the air, 
She tore the azure robe of night 
And set the stars of glory there.
 She mingled with its gorgeous dyes
The milky baldric of the skies,
 Then from his mansion in the sun
 She called her eagle-bearer down
 And gave into his mighty hand 
The symbol of her chosen land.


TODAY'S SEEDS OF WISDOM

  • JUST BLOOMED TODAY
  • GARDEN UPDATE
  • THE AMERICAN FLAG FOLDING CEREMONY AND ITS MEANING
  • FAUNA
  • GARDEN GIGGLE
  • GARDEN FLOTSAM
  • GARDEN GAMES~HOW TO PROPERLY FOLD AN AMERICAN FLAG
  • FEEDBACK
JUST BLOOMED TODAY


GARDEN UPDATE
Another fairly warm day, in the low 90's, with a touch of wind. I read with interest about my CSA, which is in Hesperia as well, who had all their lettuce die because of the heat and wind. Guess we should feel blessed because ours is still thriving! 
THE AMERICAN FLAG FOLDING CEREMONY AND ITS MEANING
With Flag Day being June 14th, a symbol of our nation is being celebrated. Did you know there was a steep tradition regarding the flag and how it is handled?

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.


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

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

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.




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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


GARDEN GIGGLE
 

What's the difference between June 14 and a day when your Mother-in-law cooks?
One's a flag day and the other's a gag day! 

FAUNA

GARDEN FLOTSAM

  • In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote a poem, "Defense of Fort McHenry," when he saw the flag still flying the morning after an attack by the British. Today, that poem is known by another name: "The Star-Spangled Banner."
  • The Flag Act of 1818 states that a star be added for any new state on the Fourth of July following that state's admission.
  • Flag Day was observed for the first time in 1877, the 100th anniversary of the adoption of our country's red-white-and-blue banner.
  • Students first said the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892, the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas.
  • In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established Flag Day as an annual national celebration.
  • Congress officially recognized Flag Day by passing the National Flag Day Bill in 1949, during President Harry Truman's administration.
  • In 1983, the world's largest flag was displayed in Washington, D.C. The flag, which measured 411 feet by 210 feet, weighed 7 tons! Each star measured 13 feet across!
GARDEN GAMES~HOW TO PROPERLY FOLD AN AMERICAN FLAG
Step 1




To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.
Step 2


Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.
Step 3


Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.
Step 4


Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag.
Step 5


Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.
Step 6


The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.
Step 7


When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.



FEEDBACK
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1 comment:

Virginia said...

nice folding diagram and technical instructions