The Folds of Our Flag (I did not know this!)

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brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
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So, we're only allowed to post to threads that we agree with?

Quit twisting my words and yours. You never said whether or not you agree. Instead, you said
I didn't know this.

.....I really don't care, either.

amish

That's not stating whether or not you agree with it. Instead, it is just plain disrespect.
 

wfbberzerker

Lifer
Apr 12, 2001
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according to this site, it is true.

of course, thats from the illinois national guard, and you know you cant trust them... illinoissains.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
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I don't beleive it. You fold the flag 13 times cause that's when you run out of flag to fold, not because you're trying to symbolize something with it. Someone most likely came up with this list well after the procedure for folding the flag had been established.
 

Judgement

Diamond Member
Feb 8, 2001
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Originally posted by: Brutuskend
The American Flag

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21 gun salute actually stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

I hope you have 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!

Be surprised at the following only because "they" quit teaching this around 1955 in public schools... some of you out there might remember.

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 Decaur, "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 hearts 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."

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 be 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 fathers, for they, too, have given their 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."

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 us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.


This kinda partriotic stuff makes me feel all sentimental and what not, choked me up a bit
 

Entity

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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Originally posted by: notfred
I don't beleive it. You fold the flag 13 times cause that's when you run out of flag to fold, not because you're trying to symbolize something with it. Someone most likely came up with this list well after the procedure for folding the flag had been established.

That's what Snopes says. :)
 

xirtam

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2001
4,693
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Originally posted by: Entity
Originally posted by: xirtam
I suppose the only way we can tell for sure would be to check the US Code.

It is not in the US Flag code at all.

Rob

Curiosity will eventually drive me to check, but I'm guessing it's not there too. Yet people gaining significance from each fold won't hurt anything, even if it's artificial. And it can mean different things to different people, I guess. To me, if I was folding a flag, I'd worry about folding it right and not care what each fold means.

As the cliché goes, "it's what you make it." If it's not in the code, I'll just think of the 13 steps as an added bonus for those who decide to derive that significance from it.

I don't beleive it. You fold the flag 13 times cause that's when you run out of flag to fold, not because you're trying to symbolize something with it. Someone most likely came up with this list well after the procedure for folding the flag had been established.

"...i before e, except after c..."
 

BooGiMaN

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
7,955
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i also dont think that 21 gun salute is right, they explained it on mail call recently but i cant remember exactly why 21..but i dont recall it beign for that reason..also i believe u get different number of guns depending on what rank u are.
 

tk149

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2002
7,253
1
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Originally posted by: brxndxn
I didn't know that either... and I was in boy scouts!

And for those that say you don't care, why the hell do you post in this thread then? This thread isn't directed to you specifically, so why should it matter if you care? It is completely disrespectful. If a guy posts about some random topic, and you say "I don't care" in response, then what overall contribution did you make besides postcount+1?

I wish the mods would start banning people for the whole "and I care because..." replies. Brutuskend never implied that everyone on the fvcking forums cared about what he said. Why the hell do you feel the need to post about it?

Because their mommies didn't give them enough attention when they were growing up? Or maybe they just like to sound like jerks.

Good find, Brutuskend. True or not in origin, tradition can make it true.

 

MrBond

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
9,911
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Originally posted by: BooGiMaN
i also dont think that 21 gun salute is right, they explained it on mail call recently but i cant remember exactly why 21..but i dont recall it beign for that reason..also i believe u get different number of guns depending on what rank u are.
Yeah I remember this too. Not everyone gets a 21 gun salute either, 21 is the most you can get, it drops from ther

 

ndee

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
12,680
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Originally posted by: XZeroII
Originally posted by: Electric Amish
I didn't know this.

.....I really don't care, either.

amish

If you don't care about this country, go to China or something. This is a proud tradition that you just crapped on and I am offended.

lol, that sounds like a little kid: "you don't like my new toy? I GONNA TELL IT MY MOMMY!"
 

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
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What is the origin of the 21-gun salute?
The use of gun salutes for military occasions is traced to early warriors who demonstrated their peaceful intentions by placing their weapons in a position that rendered them ineffective. Apparently this custom was universal, with the specific act varying with time and place, depending on the weapons being used. A North African tribe, for example, trailed the points of their spears on the ground to indicate that they did not mean to be hostile.

The tradition of rendering a salute by cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons came into use. Since these early devices contained only one projectile, discharging them once rendered them ineffective. Originally warships fired seven-gun salutes--the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance. Seven planets had been identified and the phases of the moon changed every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after Creation, that every seventh year was sabbatical and that the seven times seventh year ushered in the Jubilee year.

Land batteries, having a greater supply of gunpowder, were able to fire three guns for every shot fired afloat, hence the salute by shore batteries was 21 guns. The multiple of three probably was chosen because of the mystical significance of the number three in many ancient civilizations. Early gunpowder, composed mainly of sodium nitrate, spoiled easily at sea, but could be kept cooler and drier in land magazines. When potassium nitrate improved the quality of gunpowder, ships at sea adopted the salute of 21 guns.

The 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered. Varying customs among the maritime powers led to confusion in saluting and return of salutes. Great Britain, the world's preeminent seapower in the 18th and 19th centuries, compelled weaker nations to salute first, and for a time monarchies received more guns than did republics. Eventually, by agreement, the international salute was established at 21 guns, although the United States did not agree on this procedure until August 1875.

The gun salute system of the United States has changed considerably over the years. In 1810, the "national salute" was defined by the War Department as equal to the number of states in the Union--at that time 17. This salute was fired by all U.S. military installations at 1:00 p.m. (later at noon) on Independence Day. The President also received a salute equal to the number of states whenever he visited a military installation.

In 1842, the Presidential salute was formally established at 21 guns. In 1890, regulations designated the "national salute" as 21 guns and redesignated the traditional Independence Day salute, the "Salute to the Union," equal to the number of states. Fifty guns are also fired on all military installations equipped to do so at the close of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect.

Today the national salute of 21 guns is fired in honor of a national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning royal family, and the President, ex-President and President-elect of the United States. It is also fired at noon of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect.

Gun salutes are also rendered to other military and civilian leaders of this and other nations. The number of guns is based on their protocol rank. These salutes are always in odd numbers.

Source: Headquarters, Military District of Washington, FACT SHEET: GUN SALUTES, May 1969.

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/salute.htm
 

AvesPKS

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2000
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I have my Dad's flag in my room. Thanks for the information; it will make me appreciate it that much more.