The Folded Flag

As we celebrate our nation and the history of Old Glory, flying our flags, attending Flag Day parades, thinking about the blessings we experience daily, let us look more deeply into the symbolism of the flag folds.

FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meaning of the Folds

1. The FIRST FOLD of our flag is a symbol of life.

2. The SECOND FOLD is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

3. The THIRD FOLD is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

4. The FOURTH 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 times of war for His divine guidance.

5. The FIFTH 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."

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 her 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 in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

9. The NINTH FOLD is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

10. The TENTH FOLD is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

11. The ELEVENTH FOLD, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

12. The TWELFTH FOLD, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

13. When the FLAG IS COMPLETELY FOLDED, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."

Courtesy of the Veterans Memorial Day Committee, Ft.Rosecrans National Cemetery Memorial Service and Day of Remembrance Program, May 31, 2010.

"Some will never return."

On the evening of June 6, 1944, D-Day, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt sat at the radio microphone in the White House to give a message to the American people and the world at large. The President wrote this message, a prayer entitled "Let Our Hearts Be Stout," at the time the invasion of Normandy by Allied troops was already underway. Many of the 10,000 men and boys who would be killed in the first days and weeks of the campaign from the shores of the French coast to the heart of Germany had already died in the dark water, on the beaches, and in the flooded fields of the Cotentin peninsula. Almost four times as many--8500-- had been wounded on this first day.

This is the prayer the president read on that fateful evening:

My Fellow Americans:

Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.
And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty
endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our
civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
Lead them straight and
true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in
their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard.
For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with
rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy
grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.
They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest -- until the victory is
won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken
with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive
them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.
And for us at home -- fathers,
mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose
thoughts and prayers are ever with them -- help us, Almighty God, to rededicate
ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer.
But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people
devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and
again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy
help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to
redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of
our armed forces.
And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail,
to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever
they may be.

And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our
sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of
our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal
matters of but fleeting moment -- let not these deter us in our unconquerable
purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our
enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us
to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity
that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of
unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the
just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty
God.
Amen.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, June 6, 1944

Over this weekend and on Monday, Memorial Day, there will be tens of thousands of ceremonies honoring our war dead. Will you take a couple of hours from your activities to show your gratitude and respect for those who gave their "last full measure of devotion" by attending one of those events. If so, you will also have an opportunity to thank a veteran of WWII. These men and women are dying at the rate of almost 1,000 a day. The chances for you to show them you care about their sacrifices are dwindling rapidly.

And maybe we all should pray this prayer today--and again and again--for those who now are serving our nation in places from which "some will never return" and for their families and friends, and for ourselves. Let us also remember to pray for our enemies.

For more on Roosevelt's prayer, go to

http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/fdr-prayer.htm .

San Diego & California Election Recommendations

The following are my recommendations for the upcoming election. They are based on recommendations/endorsements by these organizations or individuals:

Associated Builders & Contractors of San Diego (business-oriented, non-union, merit-based)
California Pro-Life Counsel
California Republican Assembly (conservative wing of Republican party)
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assoc PAC
Lincoln Club (business friendly organization)
Republican Party of San Diego
Tom McClintock (longterm Republican conservative, former Member of CA Assembly & State
Senate, candidate for Governor in 2003 (Schwarzenegger won), & current Member of Congress
United Republicans of California - "traditional constitutional Republicans"
Young Republican Federation of California

And, in several cases, my own personal knowledge and experience are added to the process of choosing a candidate or position on a proposition.

Governor Steve Poizner
Lt. Governor Sam Aanestad
Secretary of State Damon Dunn
Controller Tony Strickland
Treasurer Mimi Walters
Attorney General John Eastman It would be outstanding if he won--tell everyone!
Insurance Commissioner Mike Villines
State Board of Equalization Michelle Steel
U. S. Senator Chuck DeVore
U. S. Representative 52nd District Duncan D. Hunter
State Senator 36th District Joel Anderson
State Assembly 77th District Bill Wells
County Central Committee 77th Distr Ron Nehring, Jim Kelly
Judge Superior Court #14 Craig A. Candelore
Judge Superior Court #20 Have no info on this one
Judge Superior Court #21 Bill Trask
Judge Superior Court #27 Harold Coleman, Jr.
Judge Superior Court #34 Larry "Jake" Kincaid
State Supt. of Public Education Diane A. Lenning
County Board of Education No recommendation
County Assessor-Recorder/Clerk Jeff Olson
District Attorney I know of no one running against Dumanis/Will NOT vote for her.
Sheriff Jay La Suer
County Treasurer/Tax Collector Dan McAllister
Prop 13 YES
Prop 14 NO
Prop 15 NO
Prop 16 YES
Prop 17 YES
County Prop A No recommendation
County Prop B NO (This forces out people whom we want to keep in office.)

I hope this is helpful to you.

Return to Normandy, Conclusion

The main monument in the cemetery is a large semi-circular structure. At the center of it is a beautiful tall bronze sculpture called "Youth Rising from the Sea." At its base are the words, "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." There are large raised maps depicting the invasion force and the plan on the interior walls of either end of the semi-circular enclosure. The following words are engraved in the monument:

1941-45

IN PROUD REMEMBRANCE

OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HER SONS

AND IN HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO THEIR SACRIFICES

THIS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ERECTED BY

THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

Looking west from the monument and past the reflecting pool, we see row upon row of white crosses. To the north and along the coast is a lookout to the ocean over the right or eastern flank of Omaha Beach. There is a group of French tourists looking at a map there. I am happy to see the French coming to this place of sacrifice.

I photograph three markers: the first, that of a Texas corporal, Philip W. Malina, who died on July 4, 1944; the second, an unknown soldier whose marker has the following words engraved on it

HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY

A COMRADE IN ARMS

KNOWN BUT TO GOD

and the third, PFC Clifton W. Burns, who died on June 27, 1944, for whom someone had left a bouquet of flowers. I want to see these dead as individuals, not as row after row of white crosses and Stars of David. I choose these particular men in order to recognize someone from my home state of Texas, someone who died in anonymity, and someone who is still remembered and honored by the living. I do not want to look at these almost 10,000 markers and have them be an anonymous and undifferentiated collective monument. I want to recognize the individual humanity of these fallen men, each someone's son, brother, father, husband, friend.

The symmetry of the markers produces a quiet calm here. The trees stand vigil for the fallen. We walk among the graves; we stop, we gaze, the tears roll gently down our cheeks.

At the far west of the cemetery, we enter the circular chapel. A cross is mounted in front of a tall rectangular window. Etched glass softens the western light. A Star of David adorns the window. Beneath the window is an altar engraved with these gold-leafed words,

I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE

AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH

As we leave this stirringly beautiful memorial to our war dead, Haley stops for a last look at the marker of a fallen soldier. But for the grace of God, it could have been her grandfather. If it had been, there would be no Haley, and we would not be having this most moving and profound experience. We leave the Cotentin Peninsula, the historic beaches of Normandy, that piece of earth where God's mercy was shown to the entire world through the lives of ordinary American, British, French, Australian, Canadian, and other young men in the Allied Forces, who wanted the chance to fight the evil that threatened them all. We will cherish these memories for all our lives.

We are so very thankful that we were able to visit this hallowed ground and reflect upon the great and awful feat that the United States and her Allies accomplished by the grace of God and the heroism of so many and to see where Daddy offered up his youth and strength as he took part in this unique historical event. Never in the history of mankind has there been a military feat such as this one. We honor each member of the 552nd AAA Battalion for what you did for all of us, and we pray that never again will such a task confront mankind.

Return to Normandy Part 6

After a pleasant evening at an inn in the important D-Day town of Carentan, we begin our third and final day in Normandy by visiting Omaha Beach, the last place one would choose to make an assault. The beach at Omaha is as wide or wider than that at Utah and lies at the bottom of a very high bluff. The view from the top of the bluff is expansive and unobstructed. The parking lot for the memorial sits just above what the Allied commanders named Sector Charlie Dog Green. The small private museum located nearby is very interesting, with an excellent collection of World War II equipment, gear, and memorabilia, but we are inescapably drawn to the beach and the blufffs above.

We know what happened here, and we ache with the knowledge of it. Our ears can almost hear the withering fire that shredded the troops exposed when the Higgins boat gates went down. James has the urge to get in the water, fully dressed. His logical mind takes over. We walk the beach and pick up some stones to take home. The shingle (small stones) that were on the beach on D-Day are no longer here. It is a sand beach now. We are thankful the 552nd was at Utah and not Omaha.

As we leave Omaha, we see the tall spire of a church steeple at St. Laurent sur Mer, the village above the beach. Was this the steeple the commanders saw from the water, I ask myself? We proceed toward Pointe du Hoc and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, our final stop before leaving the Norman coast.

The American Cemetery is a beautiful and most fitting memorial to all those lost in the first weeks of the invasion. It was planned with great concern for every detail, including the kinds of material used, where those materials came from, the location of the graves with their uniform rows of white markers, the types of trees and their layout, the building designs, the overall orientation, and--perhaps, most of all--the inscriptions.

As we enter the small Visitor's Center, no larger than a home living room, we immediately sense the solemnity of our surroundings. We are on hallowed ground. People are talking quietly and respectfully. A letter from President Eisenhower hangs in a gold frame on the wall next to a painting of a pair of hands holding a Medal of Honor. His letter reads as follows:

The White House

Washington

July 7, 1956

To Those Who Participate in

The Dedication of St. Laurent

Twelve years ago on D-Day in Normandy, the

landings on the coast of France were the sym-

bol and the noble expression of Allied unity and

Allied determination in a great crusade. I

know it is a small consolation to the bereaved to

remember that the gallant men who are remem-

bered today gave their lives at one of the critical

moments in history. Yet the American soldiers

who rest forever near the beach-head they won,

and in the land they helped to free, will never be

forgotten.

Their memory will always help strengthen the

bonds of friendship between our countries, his-

toric allies for the cause of freedom.

/s/ Dwight D. Eisenhower

A Baby Boomer's View of the Military

With the Memorial Day weekend fast approaching, I am posting a revised version of a short article I wrote for my dad's Army association newsletter, Flak, in June of 2007. I hope that if you are not already planning to attend a ceremony honoring our military dead that something in the following words may encourage or inspire you to make the effort and attend a Memorial Day weekend ceremony. If you have children or grandchildren, it will be a great opportunity to demonstrate your respect for our military. Perhaps, they will follow suit on future Memorial Days.

A Baby Boomer's View of the Military

When the editor of the Flak asked me if I--as the child of a World War II veteran--would write an article on my view of the military, I eagerly accepted his offer. Not only am I a baby boomer child of a veteran, I am also the wife of a Vietnam vet, and myself a "veteran" of the Sixties and the corrosive culture that period helped sire. Given the opportunity to share my thoughs and feelings about the military, I jumped on it.

Although I have lived in a military town, San Diego, for almost a quarter century, it did not take close proximity to endear the military to me. It has been my love of learning history and personal experience that have given me eyes to see the vital importance of the military to a nation's--or a group of nations'--survival.

Of course, as history has repeatedly shown, strikingly during the last century, the use of military force for imperialistic or malevolent reasons perverts the ethical defensive purpose of the military. However, Americans can be proud that as our nation has matured, we have generally used our military only in defense of our own freedoms or those of our allies and cannot reasonably be called imperialists.

The American military forces have been and continue to be organizations and individuals that we Americans can look to with admiration and pride. They exhibit all the attributes Americans have traditionally sought to emulate and to instill and encourage in their children: honor, integrity, discipline, duty, skill, self-sacrifice, justice, mercy, and more.

So, how do I feel about the military? I feel love, righteous pride, and gratitude for those who have served in the past, for those who serve now, and for those who will continue to step forward and serve. I also feel pain--for their wounds and youthful deaths. I feel suffering for the losses they endure and the horror they witness. I weep with the families and friends whose precious ones are gone or whose wounds are debilitating.

These losses, though, are not empty. They are heroic and life-saving. Again, as in the lives of that "Greatest Generation," we are witnessing what the courageous few are willing to do for the many: to suffer privation and intense discomfort, to risk and even lay down their lives that their fellows may live in freedom. I am reminded of the Biblical words engraved at the memorial at Utah Beach in Normandy where American soldiers stormed the Nazi fortifications in history's greatest invasion:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 KJV)

I give thanks for the men and women of the American military, and I pray for their safe return to their families.

Return to Normandy Part 5

The first assignment the 552nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion received when they reached the shores of Utah Beach was to move to the La Londe airfield, the first airfield established by the Allies during the invasion, and provide artillery cover against German bombers and strafers. We want to see this airfield and Ste. Mere Eglise, the village made famous by the movie The Longest Day and the town in Normandy Daddy most often mentioned.

I ask the same museum employee who gave me the certificate for Daddy if he knows where the La Londe airfield is. He says he knows it well. I am happily surprised and relieved to get his hand-drawn map with directions to the airfield, which he says is close by. We say our goodbyes to the museum staff and load our memorabilia into the car. The narrow road carries us past small black and white street signs with the names of members of the 1st Engineers who were killed making the way for those who would follow.

The directions take us right to the La Londe "airfield"---a pasture. It was a pasture in 1944, and it is a pasture in 2001, but it is a special pasture, and it has been memorialized by the 552nd Association. We take a picture of Haley and I beside the monument holding Daddy's photo. The monument reads:

LA LONDE
First U. S. Army Air Corps Airfield in France
12 June to 25 July 1944
Protected by the 552nd AAA AW BN (MBL)
Colonel Benjamin M. Warfield, Commanding
By Courtesy of Association Members
June 1970

In Ste. Mere Eglise we see the world-famous church steeple and a dummy dressed in paratrooper garb dangling from it, bringing back memories of the scene in The Longest Day in which the actor Red Buttons portrays John Steele, the paratrooper who actually lived this frightening experience.

We have dinner in a creperie across from the church square and read the inscriptions made on the wall by D-Day veterans. The owner gives me permission to add Daddy's information to the wall. I write: Roy Moore, 552nd AAA BN, D-Day+8, Utah Beach, his hometown, and today's date, April 11, 2001, and note that the inscription is made by his daughter, with my name. We partake of something else for which Normandy is renowned, apple crepes and sparkling apple cider.