Old glory, symbol of freedom
Old glory, symbol of freedom By CHERYL ODDEN The U.S. Flag took center stage during the Veteran’s Day program Tuesday at the Garrison City Auditorium. The tone of the program was set when Rev. Richard Wadholm, chaplain of the American Legion Post 49, thanked God for a free nation, "bought and paid for by the blood of veterans." And, even though Veteran’s Day honors all veterans, an empty chair represented a special group of veterans. That chair, draped with a black and white POW-MIA flag, honored veterans who have never returned home. The U.S. Flag was the main topic of the program. Guest speaker was John Czapiewski, a retired National Guardsman who works as a contract military outreach specialist in Minot. His work includes working with the VA to inform veterans about benefits and services available to them. "The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was founded," Czapiewski said. He enlisted the help of several young people to describe symbolism attributed to each of the 12 folds. They are: 1) symbol of life; 2) belief in the eternal life; 3) in honor and remembrance of the veteran; 4) our weaker nature; 5) a tribute to our country; 6) for where our hearts lie and our allegiance to the U.S. and its flag; 7) a tribute to the Armed Forces; 8) a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death; 9) a tribute to womanhood; 10) a tribute to father; 11) for Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and 12) for Christian citizens, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.
