Category: Patriotic

Flag Etiquette

WHEN TO DISPLAY THE FLAG

The flag should be displayed on all days when the weather permits, especially on legal holidays or other special occasions. It is customary to display the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings or on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, on special occasions it may be displayed at night, preferably lighted. In several places the flag flies day and night; among these are the Capitol in Washington, D.C., and the Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore, which was the inspiration for “The Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key. read more

Why The American Flag Is Folded 13 Times

Have you ever wondered why the flag of the United States of America is folded 13 times when it is lowered or when it is folded and handed to the widow at the burial of a veteran? Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means to you.

The ‘first fold’ of our flag is a symbol of life. read more

How To Fold The Flag

1. Straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once.

2. Fold it lengthwise a second time to meet the open edge, making sure that the union of stars on the blue field remains outward in full view. (A large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time.) read more

Is Honor Dead?
by: Robert A. Hall

In mid-June, 1862, the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, commanded by the famous Confederate raider, John Hunt Morgan, had an unusual visitor.

Union Army Major W. A. Coffey arrived in a carriage to place himself in captivity. Seldom had a man gone to such lengths to surrender. Coffey had been originally captured in May, when Morgan’s men took a train behind Union lines. He emerged from the train with pistols blazing, but was forced to surrender when his ammunition ran out. read more

A Prayer of Thanks
Submitted by MCB Quantico
Story by SSgt F.B. Zimmerman

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(June 1, 2001) — More than 1,000 men, women, and children gathered under warm, sunny skies at Quantico National Cemetery Monday to pay homage to the men and women who have given their lives for their country.

MGen. Clifford L. Stanley, Commanding General, MCB Quantico, represented the base. Medal of Honor recipient and retired Marine Col. H.C. “Barney” Barnum Jr., President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, was the guest of honor. read more

The Story of Old Glory
Author Unknown

This famous name was coined by Captain William Driver, a shipmaster of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1831. As he was leaving on one of his many voyages aboard the brig Charles Doggett-and this one would climax with the rescue of the mutineers of the Bounty-some friends presented him with a beautiful flag of twenty four stars. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze for the first time, he exclaimed “Old Glory!” read more

Remarks of Gen. George Patton
to units of the U.S. Third Army between March and May, 1944.

Warning: If you’re offended by four-letter language, please read no further….

Though his speech seemed unrehearsed, Patton clearly knew it by heart; though he kept no record of it, all extant versionscopied by listenersare remarkably similar. A student of war, he gave the speech in phrasing intended to inspire the privates who would make the assault succeed. read more

America’s Hero’s and Times Quiescence

Poem by Herbert G. Renner, Jr.,
Master Chief, Hospital Corps, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Photos by Gerald F. Merna
First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
Former Members of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Korea
(Note: Except for George C. Merna’s memorial stone, all pictures were randomly taken at monuments depicted on May 25, 2002). read more

Somebody Had To Do It
Written by Lynn Johnston, Spring, TX 11/99

Just five insignificant words: Somebody had to do it. We use these words in various ways, such as when someone tells they take tour groups to Paris or sample Godiva chocolates for a living. “It’s a job,” they say, “and somebody’s got to do it!” I remember my husband saying those words recently, after volunteering to lick the praline pot at a cooking school in New Orleans. “Somebody’s got to do it,” he announced, cracking a huge smile. read more

A Tribute To Veterans

In Vietnam, Korea and World Wars Past
Our Men Fought Bravely so Freedom Would Last Conditions Were Not Always
Best They Could Be Fighting a Foe You Could Not Always See:

   From Mountain Highs to Valley Lows
   From Jungle Drops to Desert Patrols read more