She bears Repeating!

Who wrote this? Where is it often recited?

THE FLAG

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the flag
That flew over Valley Forge
Was torn in two by the gray and the blue
And bled through two world wars.
I give you the flag that burned in the street
In protest, in anger and shame,
The very same flag that covered the men
Who died defending her name.
We now stand together, Americans all,
Either by choice or by birth
To honor the flag that’s flown on the moon
And changed the face of the earth.
History will show this flag stood a friend
To the hungry, the homeless and lost
That a mixture of men as common as clay
Valued one thing beyond cost.
And they’ve signed it in blood from Bunker Hill
To Saigon, Kuwait and Toko Ri.
I give you the flag that says to the world
Each man has a right to be free.

Welcome Flag Day 2007

The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.

Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

Great Star

President Abraham Lincoln's casket was draped with this flag, known as the "Great Star"flag. It was made by Annin, and later used in the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.

Whose Star is Missing?

Properly Display Our Flag

There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying the American flag:

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
• In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
• The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
• After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
• The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
• The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
• Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.
• Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.
• When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

***
Did you Know? There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see. Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, attend the ceremony.

The 13th Fold

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nations motto, "In God We Trust".

Our Flag

The Betsy Ross Flag
Since there was no official flag during the first year of the United States, there were a great number of homespun flag designs. This flag is without question the most well known of those. There are many reasons why this flag is confused with the first official U.S. flag and you can read about it here.


The First Official United States Flag: This 13-Star Flag became the Official United States Flag on June14th, 1777 and is the result of the congressional action that took place on that date. Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design.The only President to serve under this flag was George Washington (1789-1797). This Flag was to last for a period of 18 years.


The 31-Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th 1851. A star was added for the admission of California (September 9th, 1850) and was to last for seven years. The three Presidents who served under this flag were; Millard Fillmore (1850-1853), Franklin Pierce (1853-1857), and James Buchanan (1857-1861).



50-Star Flag: Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically. This is the current flag of the United States. Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state on August 21st, 1959.

***Something you might see in the future:)

1. HOW MANY PRESIDENTS HAVE SERVED UNDER THIS FLAG?
2. What flag not pictured here is also known as the STAR SPANGLED BANNER?
3. 2 stars were added to the existing flag that became the STAR SPANGLED BANNER. Name the state added to represent the 2nd star.

Source

3 Flags

As they stand now, these 3 flags and 1 memorial honor 2 Marines. One is Major Douglas Zembiec and the other is Lance Corporal Aaron C. Austin. What was their relationship to each other? (outside of New Mexico.)

FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS....

Our Home that Aaron shared ... shares

A final Memorial Day 2007 salute to my son and those who love him

The thank you letter sent to the newspapers shortly after Aaron was killed. As you can see, I wrote it from Aaron's perspective.

I want to thank, truly thank everyone today for making it so memorable. Your comments and your visits here and to Aaron's message board have meant a great deal to me and my family. While I hate what may have brought you here, I appreciate the support.

Thank you,

Regulars at gUnZ uP.

Michelle.

Family.

Friends.

Aaron.

Billy.

My Point Blog Radio.

Father God.

And thank you, FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN

and of course, THE FALLEN.

SEMPER FI,

De'on

THANK YOU, SIR.

In honor and loving memory of

Marine Major Douglas Zembiec

The Folds of our Flag

Some of you may have received this email that Karen sent me. I'd never seen the email before and thought it was neat.

I'll get our flag link back up soon.

Thanks for sharing, Karing :)

First Five Folds of our Flag

To understand what the flag draped coffin really means.... 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."

Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Fold

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.

Last Five Folds of our Flag

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".