O Say, Can You See...Can You Feel, Do You Know What It Means?

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

—Psalm 33:12

I was 13 years old when I was selected to raise and lower the flag every day at the private school I attended.

Jane was my partner. She and I learned flag etiquette and the proper way to fold the U. S. flag, twice length-wise, followed by triangular folds, starting with the striped edge and ending with the stars.

I remember how I felt when I held the flag, careful not to let it drop, and when I folded it, trying to perfectly align the ends as neatly as I could. Privileged. Special. But more than that. It was something I felt with my heart. Reverence and respect. For my flag. My country. A holy moment.

But after 40+ years, there are some things I don’t remember, like the meaning behind each of the thirteen folds.

With today being Flag Day, the commemoration of the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14th in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress, I decided to do some research on the symbolism in the folding procedure. In the process, I learned a bit more.

According to AJC.com, today marks 100 years since President Woodrow Wilson made a presidential proclamation, which officially established Flag Day. But it wasn’t till 1949 that President Harry Truman signed an act of Congress designating June 14 as Flag Day.

And of special significance to me, the origin of Flag Day dates back to 1885, when a schoolteacher (like me!) had her class honor “Flag Birthday” on June 14 to mark the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777.

Yes, Flag Day is special to me for several reasons, some of which I have already revealed. But it became even more special when I discovered the meaning behind the thirteen-fold procedure. Perhaps you will understand as you read on:

According to usflag.org:

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

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

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The thirteenth fold: When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national 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 (www.snopes.com/military/flagfold.asp).

In the U.S. Armed Forces, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body (www.cathedralofstpeter.org).

I don’t know about you, but Flag Day and the U. S. flag with all its ceremony has now become even more endearing to me, as it reminds me of the faith of our founding fathers. My own faith.

And there’s another reason that "Flag Birthday" is so special to me—it's also my birthday. This year for my birthday, I pray that the hearts of Americans would be turned toward the Lord, that they would receive the gifts—God's gifts of mercy and grace, which bring salvation, freedom, and new birth-days for all who call upon His name. I pray that our country would truly be “one nation under God.”

Won’t you join with me—fly your flag today and pray for our country, for God’s Word says:

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).”

Our Father, we are sorry for how we have turned away from You. We ask for Your forgiveness and guidance for our leaders and wisdom in our decision-making. Especially during this time when our country is grieving over the loss of so many due to wickedness, we cry out to You for comfort and protection from continued wrongdoing. We seek Your face. And we know that in our weaknesses, You will make us strong. You will make us brave and bring us through it. And You will cover us with Your banner, which is love (Song of Solomon 2:4). Amen.