  
    I Am the Flag of the 
     
      
     
    Of America 
      
     
    I am the flag of the United States of America. 
    My name is Old Glory. 
    I fly atop the world's tallest buildings. 
    I stand watch in America's halls of justice. 
    I fly majestically over institutions of learning. 
    I stand guard with power in the world. 
    Look up and see me. 
      
     
    I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. 
    I stand for freedom. 
    I am confident. 
    I am arrogant. 
    I am proud. 
      
     
    When I am flown with my fellow banners, 
    My head is a little higher, 
    My colors a little truer. 
      
     
    I bow to no one! 
    I am recognized all over the world. 
    I am worshipped - I am saluted. 
    I am loved - I am revered. 
    I am respected - and I am feared. 
      
     
    I have fought in every battle  
     
    of every war  
     
    for more then 200 years. 
      
    I was flown at Valley Forge,  
     
    Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appamatox. 
    I was there at San Juan Hill,  
     
    the trenches of France, 
    in the Argonne Forest,  
     
    Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy. 
      
     
     
    Guam, Okinawa, Korea and  
     
    KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me. 
    I was there. 
    I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired, 
    But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud. 
      
     
    I have been burned, torn and trampled on the 
     
    streets of countries I have helped set free. 
    It does not hurt for I am invincible. 
    I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and  
     
    trampled in the streets of my country. 
    And when it's done by those  
     
    Whom I've served in battle - it hurts. 
    But I shall overcome - for I am strong. 
      
     
    I have slipped the bonds of Earth  
     
    and stood watch over the uncharted  
     
    frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon. 
    I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours. 
      
     
    But my finest hours are yet to come. 
      
     
    When I am torn into strips and used as bandages  
     
    for my wounded comrades on the battlefield, 
    When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier, 
    Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent 
    at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, 
      
     
    I am proud. 
      
      
    MEANING OF THE
    FLAG DRAPED COFFIN  
     
     
     
    All Americans should be given this lesson. Those who think that America is an arrogant
    nation should really reconsider that thought. Our founding fathers used GOD's word and
    teachings to establish our Great Nation and I think it's high time Americans get
    re-educated about this Nation's history. Pass it along and be proud of the country we live
    in and even more proud of those who serve to protect our "GOD GIVEN" rights and
    freedoms.  
      
     
    I
    hope you take the time to read this..... To understand what the flag draped coffin really
    means...... Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so
    many widows and
    widowers.
     
     
    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 guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United
    States of America
    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 the flag is a symbol of life .  
     
     
     
    The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal
    life.
     
     
    The 3rd fold is made in honor and
    remembrance
    of the veterans
    departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to
    attain peace throughout the world.  
     
     
     
    The
    4th fold represents the 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 the 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
    people's hearts lie.
    It is with their heart that They 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 its Armed Forces
    , for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag
    against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their
    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 their 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 them of their 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 them the rights, privileges and freedoms they 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.  
     
    Share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to, the
    symbol of " Liberty and
    Freedom."
     
    MAYBE
    THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD READ THIS EXPLANATION BEFORE THEY RENDER THEIR DECISION ON THE
    PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. FORWARD IT; MAYBE SOMEONE WITH THE NECESSARY POWER, OR POLITICAL AND
    FINANCIAL INFLUENCE, WILL GET IT TO THEM.  
     
    IN THE MEANTIME, MAY GOD PROTECT US ALWAYS.  
     
    ONE NATION, UNDER
    GOD,
    WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.  
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