It was a weekend for honoring the flag and remembering U.S. veterans. Concord Township held its 20^th annual Veterans’ Day ceremony at its American Hero Memorial, and the Chadds Ford Township Residents Association held an abbreviated flag retirement ceremony at the Brandywine Battlefield Park.

The flag retirement ceremony was abbreviated because of the current burn ban. Weather-worn and other flags in poor repair are to be burned when a flag is retired. Susan Worteck, president of the CFTRA, said flags collected for retirement will be burned properly later when it’s safe.

During Saturday’s ceremony, Troy Grubb, site administrator at the battlefield park, gave a brief history of the park and of the 1777 Battle of Brandywine. Lt.JG Tom Brigman, commander of the Sea Cadets, did the same. But U.S. Air Force Col. Peter Leporati (Ret.) spoke about the significance of each fold of the flag. (See below)

Also, as part of the ceremony, attendees would move a pre-folded flag to be retired from one table to another and name the veteran they were honoring.

The Veterans’ Day weekend events also included the changing of the flags at the Concord Township American Hero Memorial on Smithbridge Road. New U.S. and POW/MIA flags were raised, and the names of Concord Township veterans, from the War of Independence to the War on Terror — were read aloud.

Thirteen folds and their meaning:

There are 13 folds of the flag in honor of the 13 original colonies. But each fold has its own significance.

1. The first fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold is a symbol of a belief in eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the s who gave their lives in defense of the country to help attain peace throughout the world.
4. The fourth fold is in recognition of the nature of the country’s citizens to trust in God.
5. The fifth fold is a tribute to the United States. In the words of Stephen Decatur a naval commander during the Revolution and the War of 1812. "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong."
6. The sixth fold symbolizes where people’s hearts lie in keeping with the words of the Pledge of Allegiance “…and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
7. The seventh fold is a tribute to the armed forces who protect the country from all enemies.
8. 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.
9. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood. It has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that has molded the character of the men and women who have made this country great.
10. The 10th fold is a tribute to father, who has also given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.
11. The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.
13. The 13th and last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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