The Honor of Folding the Colors

The colors of our country. Symbol of freedom. Justice. Hope. And sacrifice. Red stands for courage, valor and strength. White conveys purity, light and peace. Blue is for truth, loyalty and fidelity. The stripes remind us of the 13 original colonies that bravely joined together and swore with their lives to fight for liberty and independence. The stars represent our 50 united states, a union ever stiving to become more perfect. Our nation’s flag has flown on battlefields, warships, tanks, jeeps, jets and spacecraft. It has been draped over the coffins of fallen heroes, public servants and leaders who committed themselves to the values of a representative democracy. It has been planted at the earth’s poles, on the moon, atop Mount Suribachi and amid the rubble of 9/11. The sight of our flag has delivered hope for salvation to the oppressed nations of the world and fear to their oppressors. Displayed proudly at our nation’s schools, churches, government buildings, businesses and public squares, our flag binds us together. One nation under God. Indivisible. With liberty and justice for all.