VFW holds Memorial Day ceremony
The walkways were lined with American flags on Monday as more than 100 people arrived at the Greater Pine Island Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4353 for the annual Memorial Day ceremony. Pine Island VFW Commander Austin White hosted the event.
“Today is a day we need to put aside our disagreements and take time to remember those who are often out of sight but never out of our hearts and minds,” Commander Austin White said.
White added a “special touch” to this year’s Memorial Day by adding a ceremony about the “13 folds of the U.S. flag.” The flag-folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. As the honor guard slowly folded the flag, White recited the symbolic meaning of each of the 13 folds.
“We are reminded of each of our heroes every time we see the American flag,” White said. “We also honor our fallen by placing an American flag on their casket. When a flag is removed from a casket each of the 13 folds has a profound meaning.”
“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; the fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; the fifth fold is an acknowledgment to our country; the sixth fold is for where our hearts lie; the seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces; the eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death; the ninth fold is an honor to womanhood; the 10th fold is a tribute to father; the 11th fold, represents the seal of King David and King Solomon; the 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and 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.'”
“I wanted to remind people what Memorial Day is all about,” White said. “We have troops coming home in flag draped coffins and I wanted people to be reminded of the meaning behind the 13 folds of a U.S. flag draped over a service person’s casket.”
Memorial Day is a federal holiday for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.
The first Memorial Day, then called Decoration Day, was held on May 30, 1868.