The first American flag design was adopted by Congress 225 years ago and has been updated 27 times since.  Red stands for valor, white stands for purity and blue stands for justice.  The largest American flag is 255 feet by 505 feet and requires at least 500 people to unfurl! 

Did you know that the American flag is folded 13 times when it is lowered or when it is folded and handed to the widow or widower at the burial of a veteran?  And did you know that each of those 13 folds can be interpreted as a spiritual symbol?

The first fold - is a symbol of life... The second fold - is a symbol of our belief in eternal life... The third fold - is made in honor and remembrance of all the veterans who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain 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 time 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 dealings 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 hands over our hearts 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 the armed forces that 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 into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day....our mothers...  The ninth fold - is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of men and women who have made this country great, has been molded... The tenth fold - is a tribute to fathers, for they too have given their sons and daughters for the defense of our country since the beginning of this great nation...  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 Spirit...  The thirteenth fold - is the final fold, and it shows the stars uppermost, reminding us of our nation's motto, "In God we Trust." 

And 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 ever since, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
 

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