Always Remember

 This Memorial Day, as people are celebrating family gatherings, or the beginning of summer and vacations, let's all take a moment and remember the real reason this day was set aside. It's to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this wonderful country of ours. 

While my loved ones who served all made it home safely, there are many who didn't. Today and every day, I honor you, for allowing me to have all the freedoms I do, for defending this country and for laying down your life for your beliefs. 

I remember as a child helping my dad place all the flags on the graves in the cemetery, in preparation for the Memorial Day Ceremony. I’d watched in awe as he presented the folded flag at funerals and spoke words to loved ones as he placed it lovingly in their hands. I listened as he explained the following to me.

 

The flag-folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded.

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

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

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

4.     The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is Him we turn to 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. 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 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 into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

9.     The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood. It has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that has molded the character of the men and women who have made this country great.

10.  The 10th fold is a tribute to father, who has also given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.

11.  The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

12.  The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.

13.  The 13th and last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust.

I spent many hours in my growing up years, with my dad. Not only was he the local undertaker, but he was also a veteran. He spoke of faith in our country and the honor it was to represent this great land of ours. In the end, he was always teaching.

Before he passed, I got to have an entire evening with him, just me and my dad. We talked of those childhood years and all the life lessons he tried to teach me. We talked about faith, and family and living life with a servant heart and then… we listened to one of his favorite songs…The Ragged Old Flag by Johnny Cash. When it was through, he hugged me close, whispered in my ear that he loved me and from this point forward he was passing the torch to me so people will never forget that we have to work at keeping this country great, each and every day. My dad passed just before Memorial Day and I will never forget the legacy of his life or how proud I am I got to be his daughter.

 

Ragged Old Flag By Johnny Cash

I walked through a county courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, “Your old courthouse is kinda run down.”
He said, “Naw, it’ll do for our little town.”
I said, “Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that’s a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.” 

He said, “Have a seat,” and I sat down.
“Is this the first time you’ve been to our little town?” I said, “I think it is.” He said, “I don’t like to brag, But we’re kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag. 

“You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key Sat watching it writing Oh, Say Can You See.
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin’ at its seams. 

“And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag. 

“On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War II.
She hung limp and low by the time it was through. She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam. 

“She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they’ve about quit waving her back here at home. In her own good land she’s been abused --
She’s been burned, dishonored, denied and refused. 

“And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land.
And she’s getting threadbare and wearing thin, But she’s in good shape for the shape she’s in. ‘Cause she’s been through the fire before 

And I believe she can take a whole lot more. 

“So we raise her up every morning, Take her down every night.
We don’t let her touch the ground And we fold her up right. 

On second thought, I DO like to brag,
‘Cause I’m mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag.”