ALEXJONES.BIZ

I learned something recently when working to have my fathers Veterans burial flag folded and ready to place in some form of display/protection case. I’ve seen the process a million times on TV as well as at Veterans funerals, but I wanted to make sure I did it correctly. Not only is there a certain process in which it is folded there is also meaning to each fold.

Before I begin I want to especially thank my Dads siblings, Sheila B., Frances W., Charlotte P. and Billy K., for allowing me the opportunity to prepare and protect this flag as well as his ashes for the family.

The traditional method of folding the flag is as follows:

(A) Straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once.

(B) 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.)

(C) A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge.

(D) The outer point is then turned inward, parallel with the open edge, to form a second triangle.

(E) The diagonal or triangular folding is continued toward the blue union until the end is reached, with only the blue showing and the form being that of a cocked (three-corner) hat.

The flag-folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded.

The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our Veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted only when draped as a pall on the casket of a Veteran who has served our country honorably in uniform.

In the U.S. Armed Forces, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

Symbols for the Folds of the Flag

» The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

» The second fold is a symbol of our belief 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.

» 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 has the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under Gen. George Washington and the sailors and Marines who served under Capt. John Paul Jones and were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the U.S. Armed Forces, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

The source and the date of origin of this Flag Folding Procedure is unknown, however some sources attribute it to the Gold Star Mothers of America while others to an Air Force chaplain stationed at the United States Air Force Academy. Others consider it to be an urban legend. It is provided as a patriotic service to all Veterans.

I was introduced to the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in December 2012 when my company began providing IT services for them. We also had another customer we were working for next door to the museum and as many times as I have traveled to Indianola, I’ve never had the time to visit the museum.

On a recent trip to work for the museum I was finally able to meet the great staff there. They even pulled out one of several of B.B.’s guitars. This one was NOT on display.

Growing up I learned about music by watching Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, Soul Train with the original Don Cornelius, The Midnight Special and then finally MTV. I was listening to Rush, 38-Special, Boston, KISS, Styx, Journey, KC & the Sunshine Band, Glen Campbell, Paul Davis, just to name a few. I had always heard of B.B. King (who hadn’t?) but I never considered listening to blues music. I watched B.B. King & Gladys Knight perform together on The Midnight Special in 1973 and then I saw B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland perform on Soul Train in 1975.

Besides the museum being about the life and times of B.B. King, my desire to see it was mainly out of what I consider a duty. If someone invests their time and money in you (my company), you should likewise invest in them whenever feasible. Especially with Mississippi companies. So I invited my wife and my mother to go with me for a day trip to a very nice restaurant for lunch and then to tour the museum.

We first went to lunch at a very nice restaurant called The Crown in downtown Indianola. It was just a few short blocks away from the museum. The food was amazing and I highly recommend you go see Mrs. Evelyn. She’ll treat you like royalty.

After lunch we went to the museum. When you walk through the door you are greeted by a tour guide with options to go on the tour or sit and lounge in Lucille’s Gift shop.

The tour begins with the guide showing you a computer monitor of the current whereabouts of Mr. King. The day of our visit he had been in New Orleans the previous day and was currently on I-20 around West Monroe, LA. Next they take you into a huge room which is actually the original cotton gin building in which B.B. got his first job. They built a beautiful building around it leaving the inside intact.

“The B.B. King Museum in King’s hometown of Indianola, MS, explores King’s 60-plus year career through the presentation of Mr. King’s personal papers, materials, and objects from his life and work, along with cutting edge multi-media and film.”

“The museum is designed so that visitors will experience chronologically the periods in B.B. King’s life in the larger context of a changing world, moving through an interactive environment that is visually stimulating and full of music.”

Near the end of the maze they had a very cool Guitar Studio. It is similar to playing the Guitar Hero game. Visitors can actually play instruments in an interactive environment, making their own music, recording it and hearing playback.

The place is just Incredible! It is a World Class museum! It’s an amazing tribute to the King of Blue’s talent and rich history. A MUST SEE!

In my Churches Men’s Small Group we have often discussed prayer and our individual prayer life. I have always been one that seems to pray on occasion, when I feel it is needed or when asked rather than being fervent. I can’t explain why I choose not to be knee-deep in prayer on a regular basis. I, like most everyone, have the need for daily prayer in regards to family, friends, work, etc. So why do I procrastinate so? It’s not just my prayer life but that is the topic for now and I do not have time to go into my wonderful character flaws.

Before the Christmas Holidays my wife said something to me that made me think about this topic. She said “Thank you for the way you take care of me.” At first I thought, “Wow! I really appreciate that” and I did. It’s just that she has, to my knowledge and limited memory, not shown her appreciation to me quite like that before. It made me think. It’s like saying “I Love You.” I know she loves me even though she doesn’t say it every single day and nor do I. I guess that is why I felt so overjoyed at her appreciation. As I said back to her “Your Welcome. You are my Joy and I love to do it.”

Later a friend posted online a link to a personal blog about “Praying for Your Husband Head to Toe.” I went to the link and enjoyed reading it. So I searched to see if there was one for husbands to pray for their wife. I found that the writers husband also had a personal blog in which he posted “Praying for Your Wife from Head to Toe.” It seems the wife created a poster for each that suggested how to pray for your spouse head to toe which included scripture. I’ve since learned that there is a book written by Sharon Jaynes, Praying for Your Husband Head to Toe.

So I plan to adopt the below prayer guide for my wife each day.

Pray for Her Brain. Pray that God would mold her into a capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman and would keep her thoughts centered on whatever is true, lovely, right, pure, noble, and worthy of praise. (Proverbs 31:10; Philippians 4:8)

Pray for Her Eyes. Ask God to give her eyes of compassion, so she could see others as He sees them. (Matthew 9:36; 1 Samuel 16:7b)

Pray for Her Ears. Pray that she would listen for God’s still, small voice and would remain ever attentive to the His promptings. (Matthew 11:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:19)

Pray for Her Mouth. Ask that God would fill her mouth with skillful and godly wisdom, that the law of kindness would remain on her tongue, and that she would only and always speak the truth in love. (Proverbs 31:26; Ephesians 4:15)

Pray for Her Heart. Pray that God would fill your wife’s heart with love and respect for you and with tender patience toward your children. (Ephesians 5:33; 1 Thessalonians 2:7)

Pray for Her Arms. Ask God to gird your wife with strength, making her arms strong and firm. Pray that He would bless the work of her hands and that she would do her work cheerfully, as unto Him. (Proverbs 31:17, 31; Colossians 3:23)

Pray for Her Womb. Pray that God would bless the fruit of her womb by giving her children who walk in truth. (Psalm 127:3; 3 John 1:4)

Pray for Her Legs. Ask God to strengthen and sustain your wife, so that she can walk and not faint and not tire of doing good. (Isaiah 40:31; 2 Thessalonians 3:13)

Pray for Her Feet. Pray that her feet would be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace so that she might faithfully pursue righteousness and love. Ask God to lead her in the path of wisdom and truth and to keep her foot from stumbling. (Ephesians 6:15; Proverbs 21:21; Proverbs 4:11-12)