In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the
eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced
and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, an
armistice was signed. The 'war to end all wars'
was over.
November 11 was set aside as Armistice
Day in the United States, to remember the sacrifices
that men and women made during the war in order to
ensure a lasting peace.
Congress voted Armistice Day a legal
holiday in 1938, twenty years after the war ended. But
Americans realized that the previous war would not be
the last one. World War II began the following year,
and nations great and small again participated in a
bloody struggle. After the Second World War, Armistice
Day continued to be observed on November 11.
In 1953 townspeople in Emporia, Kansas
called the holiday Veterans' Day in gratitude to
the veterans in their town. Soon after, Congress passed
a bill introduced by a Kansas congressman renaming the
national holiday to Veterans' Day.
In remembrance of
My Uncle, DeKalb Dennis, Holdenville
Oklahoma, Sgt. 45th Infantry Division, Oklahoma
National Guard, who slowly died of wounds received
fighting the Waffen SS in September 1943, near
Salerno.
My Cousin, Niels Iver Qvistgaard,
Copenhagen Denmark, Cpl. USMC, who was killed in action
in the 1st Marine Division in Korea, 10/26/52.
My best friends, Ron
Cashman and Eddie
Wright, dinkum Diggers in 3rd Battalion, Royal
Australian Regiment, '51-'53 (Several times
wounded in action, Lifetime mates, passed away within
weeks of each other in 2006).
All ships, their crews and squadrons I
was privileged to serve with.
And with respect to all who ever
honorably served in the American armed forces, at any
time.
Birchard Lee
Kortegaard
Subject:
"What is the meaning of the folds of the flag that
drape a casket?"
The premise is simple: the
folds represent the same religious principles on which
our nation was originally founded. When completely
folded the flag will be in a "cocked hat"
shape, with the blue canton denoting honor, and the
blue contains the stars which represent the States the
veteran fought for when wearing a uniform of the
country's military services. The meaning of the
folds are:
First fold -- Symbol of life.
Second fold -- Belief in eternal life
Third fold -- Honor and remembrance of the
veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of
his/her life for the defense of our country
Fourth fold -- Represents our weaker
nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is
to God we turn to in times of peace, as in time of war,
for divine guidance
Fifth fold -- Represents our country;
"...still our country, right or wrong."
Sixth fold -- Where our hearts lie,
account it is with our hearts we pledge our 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.
Seventh fold -- Tribute to the Armed
Forces of our country who protect our country and flag
against enemies, within and without the Republic.
Eighth fold -- To honor the mother of the
veteran.
Ninth fold -- Honoring American womanhood
through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion to the
character of the men and women they have molded.
Tenth -- Tribute to fathers, for they too,
have given their sons and daughters for the defense of
the country.
Eleventh fold -- Glorifying the God of the
Hebrews of the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Twelfth
fold -- Glorifying the God of the New Testament, God
the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy
Ghost.
When the flag is completely
folded the blue canton and stars are uppermost,
reminding us of your national motto: "In God We
Trust." When properly folded and tucked it looks
like a cocked hat, reminding us of soldiers who served
under General George Washington, and sailors and
marines who served under John Paul Jones. They,
followed by comrades, shipmates and airmen today, have
preserved for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms
we enjoy today.
