The Cadets have participated at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Freeman Park in Idaho Falls the past two years. This picture is from 2007 when it was a lot warmer, believe it or not, they are literally shivering in this picture, and 2008 was MUCH worse.
Veterans from Veterans of America Chapter 972 out of Idaho Falls came and made the presentation. Mike Spencer from that Chapter made the presentation. It was really neat. He talked to the cadets about the order of precedence in which service branch flags of the military are flown. 
He then had them fold a flag and read the meanings of each fold.
The first fold of our flag 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 the Veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn to times of peace as well as in times 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 dealing 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 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.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we 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, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of Kind 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 the emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust".
What was neat about the flag was that it was flown over the United States Capital on February 4, 2009, for the Madison Cadet Squadron.
He then gave the cadet squadron the flag, the certificate, and the meaning of the folds of the flag.
For those of you that don't know Wreaths Across America is a ceremony that takes places across the United States at Veterans Cemeteries Memorials on the 2nd Saturday of December at 10:00 Eastern Time. The ceremony is to honor our fallen heroes. This is a picture of the wreaths at Arlington Cemetery. At that cemetary and other Veterans cemetaries a wreath is placed on each headstone but at Veterans monuments a wreath is placed for each branch of the military: Army, Navy, Marines Corps, United States Coast Guard, United States Air Force, and POW/MIA. It is really quite neat and sobering to watch. 
And this is at Freeman Park in 2007.
They even made the local paper, although the reporter has a few of the facts mixed up.
Good job cadets!
1 comment:
I saw that in the newspaper. That is so neat that your boys are a part of something so amazing!
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