North Haven Assisted Living Salute to our Flag

On Saturday, June 18, 2011, a celebration of the Flag of the USA was held at North Haven Assisted Living. Residents, families and loved ones gathered together for a social time following which the AMS VETS 1051 presented the Flag Folding Ceremony. This ceremony is a dramatic and uplifting way to honor the flag.


As described by the Uniformed Services, the flag folding ceremony "...represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform..."


The stripes, representing the 13 original colonies, are folded toward the stars which represent the 50 states. When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust."


The 1st fold in our Flag is a symbol of life.


The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.


The 3rd 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 4th fold 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 ties of war for His divine guidance.


The 5th fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she be always right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."


The 6th fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our hearts 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 7th 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 8th fold is to honor Mother - a tribute to the one who entered the valley of the shadow of death that we might see the light of day, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.


The 9th 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 has 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 they were first born.


The 11th fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.


The 12th fold in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents and emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.


After the Flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

A presentation of a new Flag to the North Haven Assisted Living Homes preceded a gun salute. A picnic lunch was enjoyed by over 200 attendees all of whom took time out of their day to show respect for our Flag.