Invoke God by Folding the Flag!!

[bspence]

I love hysterical subject lines. READ ON!

I got an e-mail from a right wing friend of mine that went like this(PLEASE feel free to skip down after you get the gist of it):

Very Interesting

Subject: Flag folding....

flag folding.............did you know this?????

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.

Being a liberal and being intellectually curious, I decided to find out if it was true. A quick google search showed several websites, even government ones, that debunked the whole thing. What I didn't think I was going to find was that there were so many places where this garbage is believed as truth. Even schools, county clerks offices, veteran's groups, and government offices had it on their websites.

So, respectfully, I've been sending a little e-mail to those sites this message.

It appears your information on the meaning of the
folds in the U.S. flag are incorrect. Please read the
article at the following link:
http://www.snopes.com/military/flagfold.htm

You should consider revising your website.

Thank you.

I'll let you know if I hear anything, but I was wondering if there was any other examples of the right putting their message on things to link our government to the church.

Anyone?

[China_cat]

1. I don't know how it is anywhere else

but here in Charleston when we still had a Navy base, the shooters for the salute at military funerals were taken from people serving time for non-violent offenses in the brig.

Raised a stink, I'll tell you, when it was found out.

[kwolf68]

2. Thanks

Ill be on the look out for this as well...

Love Steven Wright...LMFAO at the alphabet comment...damn that guy is hilarious to me.

[hootinholler]

3. Um your last statement, was rhetorical, right?

In casse it wasn't just listen when one of the talibornagain opens thier mouth.

The phrasefounded as a Christian Nation comes to mind. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

I put together a post dealing with that.

-Hoot

[rasputin1952]

4. Some people have WAY too much time on their hands......

There is an iota of thruth, in that the tricorner resembles a tricorner hat....kind of glad they didsn't were fez's back then.

The rest is pure BS...just like the Washington story about the Cherry Tree.

Now here is a guarantee...Those that belive this, and other myths about the flag, will be sitting in Flag motif chairs, wiping BBQ sauce off their lips w/Flag motif napkins, that sit near Flag motif paper plates...millions of which will end up in dumps, or worse yet, blowing around the street with the little flags that came off of cars...:(

Those that have their rears plastered to a Flag motif chair, will not rise as the Color Guard goes by, they will sit there, ass on the Flag, farting and belching...complaining and demanding that the Flag be protected from those who would defame this national symbol...the irony is not sweet...it is despicable.

BTW...this "13 Folds" reminds me of the "Deck of Cards" stuff from the fundies...:(

[Contrary1]

5. Thanks for the heads up...

I should be getting my own 15 or 20 personal "Important! If you are not ashamed to show your patriotism,
forward a copy of this to everyone you know, including me. God bless America", messages any minute now.

[bspence]

6. UPDATE!

Just got this in my inbox, from a clerk in a government office:

"Thank you for the information. The section on our Web site regarding
the meaning of the flag folding program will be deleted.

- Susan J. Blackston, Lodi City Clerk"

Woo hoo! There was also another reply from another guy who said:

"Thank you for your reply regarding the folds of the flag. I will check the website that you have identiied and am always seeking the newest, most accurate information. In your e-mail to me, you suggested that I reqrite my website. What do you mean by that, please? Where are you located? I hope to hear from you. Mike"

What a dumbass. I told him again to correct the information on his site, to rewrite the section on the flag. No response.

[rzemanfl]

8. Lodi where? There are more than one. n/t

[bspence]

9. Wish I could remember

I did a google search for flag folding ceremony and went through the first few pages. I sent the same e-mail to about twenty different sites.

I've gotten a few new responses as well. They all said the were going to revise their sites.

Good news.

[Toots]

7. This sure is not what is taught about the flag in the US Military

When one is promoted in the military they must first appear before a review board and answer questions at length. A major part of that questioning is historical and what some would call trivial. Anyway they teach a lot about the flag. What it's colors stand for, etc. Not one bit of this garbage is part of their teaching. You are taught to respect the flag but they also give explanations as to why. These are not it.