Author Topic: Enough Already!!!  (Read 3499 times)

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Offline patches

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Enough Already!!!
« on: Oct 28, 2007, 05:55:26 PM »
This has got to STOP!!!  :Vent: I received this the other day from the American Family Association and wanted to share it with you! 
 
Federal government bans flag-folding recitations following one complaint.

In the latest attack on Christianity, the U.S. government has banned the flag-folding recitations at all 125 national cemeteries. The banning came as the result of one complaint! The situation is similar to that in which one person removed prayer from schools.

This article from The Associated Press explains the situation:

Complaints about religious content have led to a ban on flag-folding recitations by Veterans Administration employees and volunteers at all national cemeteries.

At thousands of military burials, VA volunteers have folded the American flag 13 times and recited the significance of each fold to survivors. The 11th fold glorifies 'the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” The 12th glorifies 'God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.'
Citing a need for uniformity, the National Cemetery Administration has prohibited unpaid VA volunteers as well as employees from conducting the recital at all 125 national cemeteries.

American Legion attorney Rees Lloyd calls it 'another attempt by secularist fanatics to cleanse any reference to God.'

Following one complaint, the Veterans Administration has made anti-Christian bigotry the law of the land. The U.S. government has bowed to pressure from one radical anti-Christian secularist. Allowed to stand, the action by the Veterans Administration, in essence, means that anti-Christian bigotry is now the accepted and approved law of the land.


When are we going to do something to put a stop to this insanity?  :unsure: Our boys and girls are over in other countries fighting and dying for our county while we sit here and practically give it (and all we believe in) away.  When are we going to stand up and fight like our young men and women in the military like they are doing for us? :dunno:

I went to the site of the American Family Association and signed the petition.  I hope you feel it's important enough to do the same.  :ThumbUp:
« Last Edit: Oct 28, 2007, 09:19:21 PM by Jim »
"Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen!"

Offline Tina

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Re: ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
« Reply #1 on: Oct 28, 2007, 08:53:20 PM »
It is ridiculous, Patti. But it is petty. Those volunteers folding the flags will be THINKING the words in their hearts.
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Offline Jim

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Re: ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
« Reply #2 on: Oct 28, 2007, 09:18:52 PM »
Having spent 22 years in the USAF, I can tell you that this is just another way someone is trying to stir things up and apparently it's working.

The American flag isn't folded in this manner because each fold has a special symbolic meaning; its folded that way because it provides a dignified ceremonial touch that distinguishes folding a flag from folding a bedsheet and it provides a pleasingly easy to handle package.

These special symbolic meanings were created to be used in ceremonies for example on Memorial Day and Veterans Day; creating an association of a particular symbolic meaning with each fold of the flag.  These associations are not the reason the flag is folded in the traditional thirteen-step manner.

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Offline Patty S

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Re: Enough Already!!!
« Reply #3 on: Oct 29, 2007, 12:36:56 AM »
I'm right there with everything Tina & Jim said, but I just wanna throw in my 2¢ worth. 

To begin with, my family stems from generations of men (& women) who served in the military in both, peacetime & war. I also spent several years as a military wife during the Viet Nam era, so I've attend more military funerals than I certainly ever wanted to.  During those "full honor" burials, have I never heard reference made to the significance of the 13 folds of the flag.

Keith was a member of the Presidential Honor Guard for the first 14 months that he served with the Coast Guard, & he carried the caskets of J. Edgar Hoover, Lyndon B. Johnson & Harry S. Truman.  He tells me that no readings related to symbolistic flag folds were offered at any of those funerals.  The only standard speech connected with the US flag is the one used in giving the folded flag to the primary next of kin, or appropriate family member, where it is presented "On behalf of the President of the United States and the (commander of the veteran's branch of the military), for the faithful and dedicated service of (veteran's name.)"

From what I understand, somewhere along the line, a military chaplain may have assigned meanings to the 13 folds, & his writings were then included in military funerals (at the request of family), but I have no knowledge of those meanings ever being "official" ...& nowhere have I heard that it was ever sanctioned by congress, or by the Department of Defense, in the first place! 

It's true that just this month, the National Cemetery Administration (NOT the "Federal government" per se') banned the practice of reciting those meanings of the flag's folds at national cemeteries, in order to maintain a "standard service" for military burials.

Personally, I am not offended by this, because the freedom that we enjoy in this country has been fought for by people of all religions. Since a US soldier's intent is to preserve & protect the freedoms which include allowing each of us to worship as we chose (& because our military is not based on religious factors), it's my considered opinion that our national cemeteries are indeed not proper settings for religious references in connection with the U.S. flag during a funeral.

I am a Christian, & therefore, I believe that Christian burials should include Biblical & Christian verses & traditions... but that's just my preference. Such practices will continue to be included in funeral services (at the request of the family), at burials "with full military honors" within nonmilitary cemeteries, so I don't think that anyone is being deprived of the honors they deserve, when they are put to rest.

The US flag, itself, has no religious symbolism that I'm aware of, so tagging it with such meanings is only asking for trouble in today's society anyway, so I say let's not overreact & dignify the issue, lest we encourage dragging it through the mud along with some of our other American traditions & practices!

« Last Edit: Oct 29, 2007, 01:33:29 AM by Patty S »

Offline Jim

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Re: Enough Already!!!
« Reply #4 on: Oct 29, 2007, 09:25:17 AM »
Well said Patty!  As always you came through with the best explanation on this issue.  You are spot on the exact reason that I said "someone trying to stir things up". 

For the most part during a USAF ceremony, the flag would be folded in silence, then presented to the family with the exact statement that you quoted.

Thanks to Keith for his input too.  :wink5:
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Offline Wrennie

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Re: Enough Already!!!
« Reply #5 on: Oct 29, 2007, 11:04:06 AM »
I never heard the 13 symbols either. I remember dads funeral the flag was folded in silence.

These freaky groups keep trying to get God out of our life/system/society, but if you listen closely more and more and more politicians, on tv are saying God bless America at the end of a speech/news story etc.
But even if they succeed in getting God off our money and out of court rooms and flag ceremonies I dont think all of us believers will suddenly forget. Do you?
Bottom line, teach the children well.



Look, I know the supernatural is something that isn't supposed to happen, but it does happen...RZ

 

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