Area vets say they are unfamiliar with recital
StoryDiscussionFont Size: Default font size Larger font size By Tom Saul | Friday, October 26, 2007 | 10 comment(s)

Local veterans say they are unfamiliar with now-banned words that are recited during flag-folding ceremonies at some military burials and that the ritual is not used in the Quad-Cities.

Jim Peavey, of American Legion Post 26 in Davenport, said honor guards from his organization serve at 125 burials a year. Most are at Rock Island National Cemetery. He has never heard of the recital that was banned following a complaint about a portion meant to honor Jewish war veterans.

“We don’t recite anything like that,” Peavey said. “As we fold the flag, we recite something about what the colors mean.”

Joe Gomez, chaplin and past commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8890 in East Moline, said he has also never heard of the banned recitation. His group also provides honor guards at burial services for veterans and military personnel. When in doubt, he said, anything that is recited should follow the wishes of the veteran’s family.

Of the banning, Rabbi Michael Samuel, of the Tri-City Jewish Center, said, “We live in a very peculiar age of political correctness.” But, he added, the recitation also does not reflect the many religious beliefs that exist in the country today.

“Rather than ban it altogether, I’d rather see it revised to be more inclusive,” he said.

A spokesman for the 66-acre cemetery on Arsenal Island was unavailable for comment Thursday, but its Web site says honor guards are provided by local veterans services organizations.

WHAT THE FOLDS SIGNIFY

These meanings, not part of the U.S. Flag Code, have been ascribed to the 13 folds of American flags at veterans’ burial services (No. 11 sparked the initial debate):

1. Symbol of life.

2. Symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.”

6. 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.

7. A tribute to our armed forces.

8. 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.

9. A tribute to womanhood.

10. A tribute to father.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

Source: Scripps Howard News Service