Flag Day

Did anyone notice that there was not much hoopla this year on Flag Day June 14? There was no mention of it in my area, near Charlotte, NC, and that's not a small hick town. Yesterday my son presented his dad, a veteran of WWII, with a brand new flag to replace ours, which was becoming slightly tattered. Has anyone noticed how some people allow their flags to fly until they are in shreds? What a shame that is. My eleven-year-old grandson was here visiting when we took down the old one. He ceremoniously folded the flag into a triangle so that we could give it a proper disposal. Did you know that each fold has a meaning?

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second is symbolic of our belief in eternal life.
The third is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of theirs lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth represents our weaker nature, for as citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace or war for His guidance.
The fifth is a tribute to our country.
The sixth is for where our hearts lie, our pledge of allegiance to our country.
The seventh is a tribute to our armed forces.
The eighth is a salute to anyone who has died in battle.
The ninth is a tribute to womanhood and mothers whose love and devotion mold the characters of men.
The tenth is recognition of the fathers who gave their sons and daughters for the defense of our country.
The eleventh represents the seal of King David and King Solomon glorifying the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The twelfth is an emblem of eternity and glorifies God.
The final fold showing the stars reminds us of our nation's motto, "In God we Trust."
When the flag is completely folded, it is in the shape of a triangle, which represents the tricorn hat worn by the early soldiers that fought for our freedom.

I am in hope that during our July 4th celebrations this year that we remember just what it is that we are celebrating. A lot of people seem to think that it is the anniversary of the invention of fireworks.

America Two

America, our country,
created from imperfect symmetry,
begun from one confirmed public
with one goal catholic.
Continued by a melange impure
mingling and commingling varying culture.
A medley of creeds
which forever proceeds
through a mosaic united
with a future farsighted.
The body politic,
however disjunctive the ethic,
tied our common diversity
in ropes of adversity.
We join our hearts
and interfuse our parts
to construct contentment
till we reach achievement
through arduous work,
which Americans won't shirk,
and with the help from
this unlikely amalgam
we pursue the plan that first began
by this immature mixture of man.

©Wittmann 2004