Let the Families Decide
by Big Dog on Oct 28, 2007 at 17:23 Political
The Flag folding ceremony of veterans has been around for quite some time. The meanings of the folds, not part of the Flag Code, have been read by veterans while honoring a fallen hero. Now there is an edict that the meanings of the folds are not to be read at veteran’s funerals at federal cemeteries because there was a single complaint about the words used when describing some of the folds. Here are the meanings ascribed to the 13 folds:
- Symbol of life.
- Symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
- In honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
- 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 times of war for His divine guidance.
- A tribute 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.”
- Represents 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.
- A tribute to our armed forces.
- A tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
- A tribute to womanhood.
- A tribute to father.
- 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.
- 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.
- When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
The problem seems to stem from the last few where God is mentioned and there is acknowledgment of our Judeo-Christian heritage. Someone who attended a military funeral took exception to these words and complained about them prompting the National Cemetery Administration to ban the words at all of the cemeteries it oversees. The Administration claims they are just trying to ensure uniformity but there can be no mistake that this edict is a reaction to the complaint.
The person who made this complaint seems to feel the funeral was all about him. The funeral is a ceremony honoring the dead and it is for the dead that we perform the ceremony. The ceremony is also to bring family and friends together in order to honor the life that was lost. One thing a funeral is not is a place for some self centered idiot to make a political statement.
Here is my idea. Why don’t we allow the families of the fallen to decide if they want the words read during the Flag folding ceremony? The families can see the words beforehand and decide if they want the words read. After all, the funeral is part of a benefit afforded a fallen member of the armed forces and it is in our best interests as a country to allow the families, not some bureaucrat or sensitive bystander, to decide.
This is just another example of certain people in our society trying to cleanse any mention of our Judeo-Christian history. It is a misapplication of the First Amendment which guarantees us freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. In any event, the decision should rest solely upon the family of the fallen and not on the whims of a bureaucrat trying to appease some malcontent.
Certain veteran’s groups have decided to ignore the edict. They fought for the right to free expression and they damn sure have the right, no the duty, to fight any assault upon our freedoms.
…Against all enemies foreign and domestic so help me God.
Tags: flag code, flag folding, flag of the united states of america, Military, pledge allegiance to the flag, tribute, veteran, war
I agree with you for the most part. This is pretty lame. I think arguments hold better water when it comes to the Pledge of Allegiance and what not since those are things that are supposed to be uniform to our nation and our nation has many religions inside it. But to try to prevent certain phrases at a funeral is pretty nuts. What, will weddings be next?
This reminds me also of those nuts protesting soldier funerals. There should be a law against it. I think free speech is of the utmost importance but at what cost? The disrespect of the family on the day they are saying farewell to someone who gave his or her life for this country? Stupid as hell. I digress…
This is not really an issue of free speech. People do not have free speech in any venue they please. You are guaranteed that the government will not limit your speech but private enterprises are free to limit what you say and do.
I think that the Pledge is OK. It says Under God and all major religions believe in God. To change it for the very few atheists is wrong and since the SCOTUS has ruled atheism is a religion when it is used in this context the government would be giving preference to that religion.
The funeral should be decided by the families. Maybe some Muslim family would want some other thing done and that should be their choice.
Government run amok.
BD,
This is getting way out of control. If this person didn’t like what they heard they should not have been there and kept their objections to themselves. It is as you say up to the family to make the choice not some jerk that shouldn’t have been there to begin with if they are so sensitive. I’m being nice. This person should move to some where they can voice their objections freely, like down with go old Hugo or Fidel. This is a crock of the everyday crap that is really getting old with all of these wacko’s. If I was a member of this family I would make sure that this person would know not to ever show up in my sites again.