OSMOND — Representatives of Osmond's five service organizations gave a presentation on flag etiquette to Osmond Community School fifth graders on Friday, Nov. 14. In attendance were Ron Stech, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 326; Dave Kruse, American Legion Post
326; Dallas Steckelberg, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7838; Chris Adam son, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 326, and Keri Schultze, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary to Post 7838.
As Stech and Kruse held an Ameri- can flag, Schultze gave some facts about the flag, including that it has 13 horizontal stripes of red alternat - ing with white, representing the 13 original British colonies that became the first states in the United States, and 50 small white five-pointed stars, representing the 50 states.
13 Folds of the Flag
Adamson then explained the sym- bolism of the 13 folds of the American flag, as Stech and Kruse folded it. The first is a symbol of our belief in God; the second a symbol of our devotion to the USA; the third in honor and remembrance of the veterans who
have departed; the fourth represents our reliance on God for guidance and
strength.
The fifth fold is a tribute to freedom and all that it means to us; the sixth
represents our heart, with which we pledge allegiance; the seventh, a trib - ute to our Armed Forces; the eighth,
to honor our mothers.
The ninth is a tribute to our fathers; the 10th, a tribute toAmerican families
everywhere; the 11th, a symbol of our belief in justice and equality for all;
the 12th, an emblem of eternity, and glorifies our faith in God, and the 13th, a symbol of our 13 original colonies.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust." After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, reminding us of the American soldiers who first served under General George Wash ington to establish and preserve for
us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy.
Students Quizzed
Steckelberg then conducted a brief quiz of some of the information the
students had received, and other facts about the flag. Some of the questions and answers included the following: The flag should be hoisted and lowered in what manner? It should be
hoisted quickly, and lowered slowly.
During the manufacture of the flag,
leftover material is never allowed to fall on the floor. Where does it fall? In a basket or lap.
On an official government installa tion, there are three things inside the
ball at the top of the flagpole. What are they? There is a .45 caliber bul -
let, a .38 caliber bullet, and an M16 rifle bullet.
In the event this ball falls and hits the ground, it is designed to do what?
It breaks into 13 pieces. What does this symbolize? The 13 colonies.
The students did very well in an - swering some of the questions from what they had learned that day, while other questions that they didn't know the answers to served as a lesson about the U.S. Flag.
After the presentation, the students were each given a flag and a booklet on flag etiquette.
