For those that know me I am fiercely patriotic, honor and love our flag and am a defender of our freedoms including being affectionately labeled…”The Flag Police.”

My love for our nations symbol of freedom goes back to my G7 Grandfather who fought for the Virginia militia in the American Revolution up to and including all the military family members in my lineage who have served and those who are departed.

American history education plays a big part in instilling a love of country.  As a Veteran and Gold Star Mother I love being a supporter of Wreaths across America, just one of many organizations, where their core principles are Remember, Honor, Teach - helping instill values. My fellow Gold Star mothers and Daughters of the American Revolution sisters are huge advocates of serving others and bolstering Americanism.

All Americans should know the difference, yet many get confused, between Memorial Day (Originally called Decoration Day) and Veterans Day (Originally called Armistice Day).  The former in May each year, honors our departed loved ones who have served in the military while the later in November each year, acknowledges those who, are living, and have served in the US Military.

If you have attended a military funeral you may have witnessed the American Flag being folded.  On this weekend leading up to Memorial Day, while I was looking at the folded flags on our military hallway wall – one for my son and the other for my father-in-law, I wondered how many know what the “folded” flag symbolizes?  Here’s a bit of education, borrowed from the American Legion Auxiliary website, as we head into this weekend.

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

The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and tribute of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.

The fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is an acknowledgment 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 enemies.

The eighth 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, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

The ninth fold is an honor 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 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first-born.

The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, 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 12th 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 last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

The lyric …. “the flag still stands for freedom and you can’t take that away” was at it’s penning, is now and forever will be very powerful.