Highlands School 5th-graders held a special flag-raising ceremony in conjunction with Highlands American Legion Post 370 on Friday morning in honor of Veterans Day, which is today.
Members of Highlands American Legion Post 370 held a special flag raising ceremony with 5th-graders at Highlands School on Friday in honor of Veterans Day.
Legion Commander Ed McCloskey spoke to students and told them some facts about why and how we do what we do when it comes to our nation’s flag.
For example, soldiers are given a 21-gun salute at military funerals because the sum of 1776 is 21, or that each of the 13 times the American flag is folded have a meaning.
After raising the American flag up the pole, students raised the flag of North Carolina.
5th-grade students are responsible for raising and lowering the flag each day, and Highlands Assistant Principal Sarah Holbrooks said it’s important for students to know why they do what they do.
“I think lots of times kids do things because they’re told to do it,” she said. “It’s good that they know the meaning behind the flag, and possibly make it more meaningful to them as they raise it each day. For them to have some appreciation for what Veterans have done is important.”
Ed McCloskey (far right barely in frame) told students the meaning of the 13 folds in the American flag.
What each fold of the American flag means:
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, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.
The fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is an acknowledgement 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 enemies.
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 our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
The ninth fold is an honor to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first-born.
The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, 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 12th 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 Ghost.
The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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Thanks Brian for your coverage of this event. While there we noticed that their NC flag was torn and needed to be replaced. We did that and flew the new NC flag 10 days later.
Ed McCloskey, Commander
American Legion Post 370
Highlands, NC PO Box 406