News

A history lesson in Americana

Scott Wagar

04/16/2013

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Members of Bottineau’s VFW Auxiliary Post 8688 in association with VFW Post 8688 spent time with Bottineau’s third grade class this past Tuesday morning to teach the young scholars the history and symbolism of the American Flag and the proper technique in folding the nation’s colors.
Estelle Jelleberg of the Ladies Auxiliary spent her time with the children speaking about the history of the flag and the symbolism behind the stars, stripes and the flag’s colors.

The kids learned that the first American flag had 13 stars and 13 stripes to represent the 13 original colonies. She also spoke on how over the centuries in the United States the different types of American flags that have taken place as the country added states, which included today’s flag of 50 stars after Hawaii became the most recent state in the Union  on July 4, 1960.

Jelleberg also explained the colors of the flag, which included:

  •  Red signifies hardiness and valor
  •  White signifies Purity and innocence
  •  Blue signifies vigilance, preservation and justice


From the flag’s history, Auxiliary member Mae Streich with Ron Martin and Jim Kofoid presented to the students the proper way to fold the American flag and the representation behind the 12 folds of the flag.

As Martin and Kofoid folded the flag, Streich stated what each fold meant, which included:

  •  The first fold is the symbol of life
  •  The second fold is the symbol of our beliefs in eternal life
  •  The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
  •  The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; 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.
  •  The fifth fold is 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.”
  •  The sixth fold is for 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.
  •  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 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, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s 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 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.
  •  The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, 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 12th fold, 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.


The Ladies Auxiliary also handed-out flags to the students and a booklet about the American Flag.