By Heather Spaulding

Special to the Journal

On Nov. 5, local Friday Harbor Elementary School children crowded into the gym, wide eyed and waiting for a presentation veterans day. Principal Diane Ball opened the assembly by explaining that “We are here today to honor some very special people. They have fought for our freedom, including the freedom to come to school.”

Our local boy scouts led by Tucker Rennik, carried in the U.S. flag, and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. When that was finished, and all had sat back down, the local elementary choir sang each branch of military’s song.

Peter DeLorenzi, who served in the Marine Corps demonstrated how to properly fold the flag, and the meaning behind each fold.

The first fold is the symbol of life. The second fold is the symbol of the belief in eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave their life for defense of our country in order to attain peace through out the world. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for 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 Naval Officer Steven 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 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 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. 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 eleventh fold is the eyes of the 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.

The twelfth fold in the eyes of the Christian citizen represents and emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes the God the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. The 13th and final fold signifies the original 13 colonies upon which this great nation was founded.

A couple other interesting facts about folding the flag. It is folded from stripes to stars because the stripes represent those original 13 colonies, now embodied in the 50 sovereign states, symbolized by the stripes. Once the flag is completely folded, it resembles a cocked hat, reminiscent of those hats worn by soldiers who served under General George Washington, the first to fight for the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today. Each child then was given a small U.S.. flag, and headed back into their classrooms remembering people they most likely will never forget, those who fought, and died for our freedoms, including as Mrs. Ball pointed out, the freedom to go to school.