Fold It Fine for the Fallen- Hold It to Feel Alive

That American flag, you watched us fold

That once draped over your fallen's casket

Now is a forever story you hold

It's symbols, are much more than fabric:

When a warrior falls

The stars and stripes don't just wave

They wrap around loved ones

And hold them together to be brave

The thirteen broad stripes,

Represent our birth, our cause

Of unwavering faith

As they framed each word and clause

The stars shine is made bright

Under the blue for freedom's skies

Liberty and justice. a pure white

Honors the belief that good never dies

The deep red bleeds with love 

With courage to hold that line

Of freedom against tyranny

America's heartbeat's alive!

Out of many, one

E pluribus unum

Hold the line

Fold it fine

This triangle 

God, freedom, country

This is how freedom is won

[Verse 1] That American flag, you watched us fold That once draped over your fallen's casket Now is a forever story you hold It's symbols, are much more than fabric [Pre-Chorus] When a warrior falls The stars and stripes don't just wave They wrap around loved ones And hold them together to be brave [Chorus] Out of many, one E pluribus unum Hold the line Fold it fine Out of many, one This is how we shine [Verse 2] The thirteen broad stripes Represent our birth, our cause Of unwavering faith As they framed each word and clause The stars shine is made bright Under the blue for freedom's skies Liberty and justice A pure white honors what never dies [Bridge] The deep red bleeds with love With courage to hold that line Of freedom against tyranny America's heartbeat's alive

inspired by:

Buzz Patterson

@BuzzPatterson

·

5h

THE FOLDED FLAG: A NATION’s EMBRACE God Bless our Fallen. God Bless the United States of America. #HonorTheFallen #StarsAndStripes #NeverForget

Our clauses:

1. Preamble: Establishes the purpose and guiding principles of the Constitution.
2. Article I: Outlines the legislative branch, including the powers and structure of Congress.
3. Article II: Defines the executive branch, detailing the powers and responsibilities of the President.
4. Article III: Establishes the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court and lower courts.
5. Article IV: Addresses the states' powers and interactions with each other and the federal government.
6. Article V: Describes the process for amending the Constitution.
7. Article VI: Establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and addresses oaths of office.
8. Article VII: Outlines the procedure for ratification of the Constitution.
9. Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments that guarantee individual freedoms and rights.
10. Subsequent Amendments: Additional amendments that address various rights and governmental processes.

Free Because of You

https://x.com/REALSuperPHEST/status/2058969862131810350?s=20

 Every hour of peril

Every moment of grace

We've fought against evil

Of tyrants before our face

Freedom isn't free

It is found through prayer

Through living right

And trusting God's care

We have left our good homes

To answer our nation's call

For the greatest cause known

For the freedom of all

For the fallen we owe 

Our debt of gratitude

To give up a day and show

We are free because of you

ceremonies and parades

prayers, solutes, flags and songs

we visit veteran graves

the list of names grow long

Thank you for the life you gave

[Verse 1] Every hour of peril Every moment of grace We've fought against evil Of tyrants before our face Freedom isn't free It is found through prayer Through living right And trusting God's care [Pre-Chorus] We have left our good homes To answer our nation's call For the greatest cause known For the freedom of all [Chorus] We are free because of you (we are free because of you) Thank you for the life you gave (thank you for the life you gave) For the fallen we owe For the brave who stayed We are free because of you (we are free because of you) [Verse 2] Ceremonies and parades Prayers, salutes, flags and songs We visit veteran graves The list of names grows long And every stone still speaks Of courage in the rain Of boys and girls who carried What we could not explain [Pre-Chorus] We have left our good homes To answer our nation's call For the greatest cause known For the freedom of all [Chorus] We are free because of you (we are free because of you) Thank you for the life you gave (thank you for the life you gave) For the fallen we owe For the brave who stayed We are free because of you (we are free because of you) [Bridge] So we stand here still With our hands on heart Remembering the cost And the days gone dark Every name we read Every tear we hide Says the same hard truth You kept freedom alive [Final Chorus] We are free because of you (we are free because of you) Thank you for the life you gave (thank you for the life you gave) For the fallen we owe For the brave who stayed We are free because of you (we are free because of you) We are free because of you (thank you for the life you gave)

SGT Adam Wayne Estep (1981-2004)

Names and Faces Remembering Reckoning

inspired by the Memorial Day post in x.com

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao

@SECNAV

 The white marble headstones

Are not what I see

I see faces I have known

Flashing before me

I have made a career

Out of freedom fighting

In the dirt, enemy near

The blasts and smoke rising

We bled and survived together

Living with the brutal truth

That not all of are still here

Oh how we remember you

Burned into our souls

So we don't have to write it down

Your names, your faces 

YOU, we carry around

Memorial day is our day

Our day of reckoning

Of the price you paid

are we worthy of remembering?

To the gold star families

With an empty place

Our debt, we know your are sampling

that name... that face

A warrior dies twice

Once as the heart is stayed

The second, that day

When their blessed names fade

We must carry their memories

Their names and hold the line

We must retell the hard stories

And then live the freedoms we find

[Verse 1] The white marble headstones Are not what I see I see faces I have known Flashing before me I have made a career Out of freedom fighting In the dirt, enemy near The blasts and smoke rising [Pre-Chorus] We bled and survived together Living with the brutal truth That not all of are still here Oh how we remember you [Chorus] Your names, your faces We carry around Your names, your faces Burned into the ground We carry around We carry around [Verse 2] Memorial day is our day Our day of reckoning Of the price you paid are we worthy of remembering? To the gold star families With an empty place Our debt, we know your are sampling that name... that face [Bridge] A warrior dies twice Once as the heart is stayed The second, that day When their blessed names fade [Final Chorus] Your names, your faces We carry around Your names, your faces Burned into the ground We carry around We carry around [Outro] And so we carry their memories Their names and faces and hold the line And we retell the hard stories And live well the freedoms we find

I Cried for Adam Today- Memorial Day

 

You Gave Up Your Tomorrows

Verse 1] They traded in their tomorrows For ours and our children In memory we gather our sorrows In tribute to what you've given [Pre-Chorus] Your days were cut short Some, posterity no more Some left a spouse Some were made fatherless [Chorus] For all of this we mourn For all of this we mourn You gave, and we remember You gave, and we remember [Verse 2] A place at the table stays open For every name we hold We carry the weight of their promise Like fire inside the soul [Pre-Chorus] Your days were cut short Some, posterity no more Some left a spouse Some were made fatherless [Chorus] For all of this we mourn For all of this we mourn You gave, and we remember You gave, and we remember [Bridge] May the years speak kindly May the children know The cost of a peaceful morning The debt we owe [Chorus] For all of this we mourn For all of this we mourn You gave, and we remember You gave, and we remember

In Memory of Those Who've Died

In memory of those who've died
On this day, may we unite
And together walk side by side
Filled with love from freedom's light

The Dog Tags Remain

The dog tags of loved ones remain
Each with a soldier's story to tell
Of lonely foxholes and pain
And of patriotism as well

Missing you Adam...

Rep. Joe Heck Commemorates Memorial Day 2014

                                           

From the grassy slopes of Bunker Hill

On to the National Mall we find

The price of freedom is ever real

Some of the best blood was left behind

From the grassy slopes of Bunker Hill
To the National Mall we can see
The price of freedom is ever real
Through the shedding of blood, it is seen

Dr. Heck has more than 25 years in public service as a physician, Army Reservist, and community volunteer. Previously, Heck served as a volunteer firefighter and ambulance attendant, Search & Rescue team member, and SWAT physician. A Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, he was called to active duty three times, including a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Lord has also decreed that this land should be “the place of the new Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord.” (Ether 13:3.) Here is our nation’s destiny! To serve God’s eternal purposes and to prepare this land and the people for America’s eventual destiny, He “established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom [He] raised up unto this very purpose, and Sgt. Adam Estep 
The Land Choice Above All - Speeches - Brigham Young ...
speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1028
Brigham Young University

1. ldscleardoctrine.com › Doctrine-and-CovenantsD&C Section 101 Zion: Why Persecuted, When Redeemed ...

   80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

The Doctrine and Covenants says that, when the waters receded off of this land, ... up unto this very purpose and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. ... Notice the same pattern: these lands have been redeemed by the shedding of blood—the best blood of this generation.

It's been a decade since Adam died, my step-daughter's husband. 

(Army Sgt. Adam W Estep) 

It gave me comfort when I read that the shedding of blood redeems the land.  Iraq,  God has hope for you as a nation of religious freedom with a constitution that recognizes religions groups.

The History of Memorial Day: by Studies Weekly

Before your summer begins
And you fire up the grill
Remember our fallen men
The unknown and missing still

Place a flower, wave a flag
Visit a resting place
Give thanks for all you have
We've freedom to embrace!

Taps history told by John Wayne

It was a sweltering day

Every scent and stench hung, heavy

Here seven thousand soldiers lay

All of them, fallen men, too many

The roar of the cannons had ceased

The hills were covered in blood

As darkness enclosed from the east

A colonel arose from above

His bugle was slowly, gently raised

He played what he had just composed

And expressed the feelings on this day

The cry of the lone heart exposed

 (In Virginia, On July 2, 1862 Colonel Dan Butterfield played his new bugle solo- Taps) 

The USO Homecoming

The first pitch was all it took
It was beyond her dreams!
It took a second glance to look
For Daddy is home, it seems!

A Wartime Miracle

In the early part of '44

During World War 2

A miracle came of the Lord

And this can happen to you...

A lifeless soldier was seen

Floating face down in the water

When along swam a marine

Who flipped his body over

He too had been injured

And could only swim with one arm

But for his buddy he endured

To the shore without further harm

He bowed his head, as one clean to do so

And by the power of the priesthood did plea

For a miracle to show

And for medics to come quickly...

The doctors were astounded

That the two came in alive

The news of this miracle sounded

Helping others to endure and strive...

Miracles are everywhere to be found

When the priesthood is understood

May this power from on high abound

Amongst the bonds of God's brotherhood

 President Thomas S. Monson

in the Priesthood Session of General Conference on March 31, 2012

When you See an Injured Soldier

When you see an injured soldier
And pity runs through you
Just straighten up your shoulders
Look at him and say, "thank you"

For before you lies a miracle
A special blessing that would not fall
That despite war we may sample
The celebration of life in us all

200 Years of Service- Memorial Day Explained

200 years of service
Have come of one family
Who, knowing their purpose
Explain this day happily...

Always Memorial Day
Is the last Monday in May
Where we remember the price
Of freedom...the sacrifice

See the flag raised briskly
Up to the top of the staff
Then for 1.3 million slowly
It is lowered down to half

At noon it is then reraised
In memory of the living
And their resolve is appraised
At 3:00 o'clock with silence giving

See the parades and colors
In every city, county, and State
As on this day each honors
Those who protect freedom's gate

See our flag waving- proudly, tall
May its symbols ever remain true
For freedom isn't free at all
And we must remember and show our gratitude

A Story You'll Never Forget Salt Lake man honors veterans for Memorial Day - ksl.com

Salt Lake man honors veterans for Memorial Day - ksl.com

Honoring This Veteran

The gestapo stopped him as he was about to pass
They demanded that he drop his pants
Seeking the evidence of a circumcision
His arrest was but a quick decision

His job would be to cut down the huge trees
To feed the fires for the crematories
His hard shoes were made of cloth and bark
From a dead man's feet, evidence his future was stark

Each man's weight was only skin and bones
Side by side six slept in a bed full of groans
Where on the hour together they would flip
Lest any one of them might break a hip

Then came a ruckus... they were told to hide
In the sewer, a slippery fecal slide
Someone yelled out, they were now free!
And that they were alive, it was hard to believe

Each man in the service wept at the sight
How could these prisoners still be alive?
They helped to clean them and sought to understand
And for their courage they shook each slight hand

The boy... does anyone know what became of him?
Years passed and family found him healthy and trim
What a celebration! Having thought him dead!
With determination they would look ahead

But...for the others their story is retold
That the memory never ever grow cold
Shall we eliminate a color, religion, or race?
No! We are all God's children- with love to embrace

The global core Jewish population is estimated to be approximately 15.7 to 15.8 million people, representing about 0.2% of the world's population. Demographers note this figure is still below the pre-Holocaust population of 16.6 million in 1939. [1, 2, 3]  

God Bless the Soldier

My prayer is for the soldier
May he always remember to pray
Ever through the Savior
The Truth, the Light, the Way

My prayer is for our nation
May we remember to pray also
That together we might station
United...defending the freedoms we know

I Do Solemnly Swear

I cried for Adam today
My tears a long downpour
Not in the old familiar way
But for what he stood for

Under God, as man of his word
He kept his solemn oath
The extended call, he heard
Though he'd done the time he owed

With but one small reserve-
A short weekend honeymoon
Again he stood to serve
Then...fallen, he died all too soon

In support of the Constitution
He defended it to his death
With courage his contribution
As a hero he took his last breath

I have been studying the constitution's birth- seeing the sacrifices and the inspiration in it. I was hit with emotion when I learned what I guess I'd forgotten-the oath is in support and defense of the Constitution.


The wordings of the current oath of enlistment and oath for commissioned officers are as follows:

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).

"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)

Army Sgt. Adam W. Estep
Died April 29, 2004 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

23, of Campbell, Calif.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; killed April 29 when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his patrol in Baghdad.California soldier killed in Iraq ‘never showed fear’

Associated Press
Army Sgt. Adam W. Estep - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
SARATOGA, Calif. — Sgt. Adam Estep was remembered Tuesday by friends and family as a soldier who never showed fear, even in the most violent battles.

Estep, a 23-year-old tank driver, died April 29 in a rocket-propelled grenade attack outside Baghdad.

“Every day he touched lives in ways that cannot be erased,” friend and Marine Sgt. Jason Steele said at the funeral. “We should all aspire to be like him. You all must rejoice in the memories we have of him and know that he will always be with you.”

Estep, who was active in ROTC in high school in San Jose, joined the Army in 2000 and drove tanks for the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment and 1st Cavalry Division.

He had been stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and served a six-month tour in Kuwait. In December, the Army extended his commitment for 14 months. He left for Iraq in March.

His wife of two months, Demara Estep, said her husband longed to attend college and start a family. He lined his letters with sophisticated sketches.

Memorial Day has a Spiritual Side

Our day of decoration
Given to remember those who've died
Has turned unto recreation
Losing its spiritual side

A president proclaimed
It as a day of tribute
To honor soldiers in the grave
And pay respect with gratitude

Let no wanton foot tread
Upon their hallowed grounds
May it always be said
Here is how freedom's found

From the Civil War
To our present day
Let us remember
And unite to pray

Let us recall
How liberty's achieved
And with courage stand tall
With faith in God retrieved


Memorial Day has a spiritual side
Faith has a place in national holiday

By Scott Taylor
Deseret News
Saturday, May 29, 2010

From these the Honored Dead

From these the honored dead
Let us increase our devotion
Unto God, equally led
With freedom, full, in motion

thoughts from Abraham Lincoln's address
click on title to read Text of Gettysburg Address

One Thousand is Not Just a Number

Each Sunday, the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Veterans For Peace is on the beach in front of well-known Stearns Wharf all day, interacting with the many tourists from all over the world through a project now called "Arlington West." Arlington West consists of a small white cross for every soldier killed in Iraq.
www.ltkenballard.com/ArlingtonWest.htm


"1,000 Is Just a Number,
Till You See the Crosses"
For freedom, men now slumber
Come and feel how much this costs us