What is Flag Day to us…..

 

Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th of each year. It celebrates the adoption of the Flag of the United States of America. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that established June 14th officially as Flag Day and in 1949 National Flag Day was established by an act of Congress.

So what does all that mean? What does it mean to us?

For years my family has fought to defend, uphold and keep the flag of the United States of America. There have been relatives in every war for many years. My Grandpa was in World War 2, My Dad served in Vietnam, my husband has been serving on Active Duty for the past 17 years. The flag is beautiful to me, it also represents the thousands upon thousands of men and women who have selflessly gave their life for our freedom, freedom to live in a free country with rights and liberties. Freedom to worship God. When a family is in the military we learn quickly the costs of war, we learn quickly the beauty of a flag flying, we learn that freedom is not free.

My Grandpa had a land mine blow up on him he suffered the affects of war for the rest of his life but not once did I hear him complain. My Grandpa was a true hero. He was very proud of his service, thankful for the chance to give back to others. He selflessly did what he needed to do. As a girl I thought my Grandpa was one of the tallest men I knew, he was so tall and proud ( not sinful proud he just held his head high! ). As the years went by and I watched his illness take his body away, how could you ever look at a flag the same again? The sacrifice was ingrained in the hearts of those who loved him forever.

(My Grandpa in WW2)

When my Dad enlisted he knew it was enlist or be drafted, I guess he wanted some control of the situation SO he chose to enlist :). He left home a country boy from WV and came back forever changed. My Dad got to see some beautiful parts of the world, Hawaii has always been on the top of his list of places, Vietnam in itself is beautiful he says if not for the affects from the war that were everywhere. I have read some of my Dad’s letters home and I am thankful for the items my Aunt saved so that I can somewhat go back in time and get a glimpse into the sacrifices that my Dad made, when my Dad came home from Vietnam there was no parade, there was no fanfare, there was no thank you for your service. He was mocked, spit on, and made fun of. My Dad has always carried the scars of war, but at the same time when my Dad stands with those who have served, I know he is proud. When the war in Iraq broke out my Dad wanted to be there so bad that he really thought about going as a civilian contractor. As a young girl I remember my Dad still being in the Navy and him kissing my mom goodbye in those dress whites. My Dad taught us as kids how to fold a flag, we better stand for the pledge and National Anthem and we should always, always remember the sacrifice of those who did not make it home. My Dad has several buddies names on the Vietnam Memorial, when I was in 6th grade our class took a trip to Washington DC, I got the names of some of his Buddies from my Dad and I etched the names on paper for him, that is the first time I saw my Dad tear up over the loss of his brothers in arms. I never looked at the flag the same again.

(My Mom and Dad at their wedding, I did not have pics of him in his military uniform on the computer)

I should also add that my Uncle who died when he was 20, was in ROTC at Marshall University when he passed away. He got to march in JFK’s inaugural parade, he had plans for a career in the Army.

( My Uncle, my moms brother who was in ROTC)

As a young woman, I honestly did not think I would marry a Soldier :). I had gotten to a point in my life that I was very patriotic but goodness all the deployments and separations, I didn’t really want that. However when I was 12 I was told I should start praying for my husband, so I did. Little did I know he wore a uniform and when he would leave he would take a piece of my heart wherever he went! My husband and I did not date long, we almost skipped the dating part all together! LOL Soon I was the wife who was waiting for my husband to come home for dinner, watching as he spent long hours at work, reminding the kids the man in the pictures REALLY is their Daddy! Trying hard to smile through tears as my heart prepared to leave for War. Waiting, waiting on phone calls, waiting on letters, waiting for news…any news. Then reminding myself that no news is good news, that God is right there with my husband, that God WAS the one in control. Thanking God as well for the technology that we had that was not available in WW2. I can tell you that nothing compares to a homecoming celebration, I know I will never look at a Flag the same again, neither will my children.

( Not our wedding, but our reception later :))

The American Flag has thirteen folds. When folding the flag to store or present, as a way to honor the life of a fallen solider or politician,Thirteen folds are required. Here are the reasons for each of the folds:

1st Fold: A symbol of life
2nd Fold: A symbol of the belief in eternal life
3rd Fold: For remembrance and honor for the veterans of America
4th Fold: Represents the weaker times when we “Trust in God”
5th Fold: A tribute to the country
6th Fold: The people’s hearts lie in this fold
7th Fold: A tribute to the armed forces
8th Fold: A tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death
9th Fold: A tribute to women and their devotion
10th Fold: For the father who gave his children for the protection of our country
11th Fold: Represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon
12th Fold: Represents eternity and glorifies the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
13th Fold: Completes the process and, with the stars uppermost, reminds us that “In God We Trust”

The flag to our family is not just a symbol of our Country, it is a symbol of many who have gone before and fought for our Freedoms, it is a reminder each day of the sacrifices that our family has made and that others have made, and it will always remind us of those we know who did not make it home, the days spent apart, the waiting, the blood shed, the thankfulness. Thank you God for our flag and our freedom.

In Christ,

Laura