Facts
About Our Flag
"The things that the flag stands for
were
created by the experiences of a great people.
Everything that it stands for was written by
their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment,
but of history."
~Woodrow Wilson
The Meanings of Red,
White, and Blue
"On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a
resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the
United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect
the Founding Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of
the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20,
1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a
specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The
colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The
Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the
colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles
Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting
to Congress on the Seal, stated:
"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those
used in the flag of the United States of America; White
signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and
Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the
stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."
"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to
which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is
symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."
From the book Our Flag published in 1989 by the House of
Representatives
A vexillologist is an expert in what?
The history of flags.
Is it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down?
Yes, but only in an emergency. It means "Help Me, I am in
Trouble!"
What is done with worn or outdated flags?
Flags are used until they are worn out and then they are
destroyed, preferably by burning.
Facts About the American Flag
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 American 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 our flag is a symbol of life.
~ The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
~ The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the
veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their
lives for the defense of our country to attain peace
throughout the world.
~ The 4th 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 time of war for His divine guidance.
~ The 5th 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 6th 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 the Republic for which it stands, one
Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for
all.
~ The 7th 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 are found within
or without the boundaries of our 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 our 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 us of our nation's motto,
"In God We Trust".
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