‘We are a grateful country’ By FAYE WHITBECK, Staff Writer

Today is Veterans Day.

Both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states, Veterans Day has evolved from the Armistice Day of the allied nations, VFW Post Commander Terry Randolph told the crowd, falling on Nov. 11 — the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.

The event was opened with the students facing the flag and placing their hands over their hearts. They recited the Pledge of Allegiance together and then listened while Margarete Kostiuk sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” Kostiuk also played all the official anthems of each branch of the U.S. military forces on her harmonica, ending with “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Randolph spoke to the school about embracing the inclusiveness of Veterans Day.

“We are all races and ethnic groups,” Randolph said. “We are men and women. We are your neighbor next door, your grocery-store owner down the street, and the fireman who saves lives.

“Some are heroes, but most are not ... Most are just ordinary citizens who answered the call when it came. ... And we are a grateful country.”

Local VFW members, who are also veterans representing every American war from WWII to the present, executed a hands-on, flag-folding demonstration of the “red, white and blue.” Used in the demonstration was a flag often used in local cemetery services, said VFW chaplain Wayne Sampson.

While the veterans demonstrated the 13 flag folds that end in a triangular shape, sixth-grade student Savannah Boe read the distinct meanings of each separate fold. (See left.) In the last stage, the red and white stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of night.

Upon completion, the star-studded triangle was handed to Randolph who held it above the crowd to show its shape. As he did this, Sampson explained to the children that the final fold of the flag takes on the shape of a cocked tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during America’s war for independence. It also is a reminder to America of one of its earliest veterans, the honorable General George Washington who later became the first president of the United States.

In closing, as Sampson thanked the children for their behavior and their attention, he reminded them that the most beloved words to an American soldier are “Welcome home,” and “Thank you.”

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EACH FOLD OF THE FLAG HAS MEANING

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

• The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

• The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

• The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for 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.”

• 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 her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

• The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor 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 tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

• The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, 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 twelfth 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 takes on 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.

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Local citizen Ruth Anderson shares this Veterans Day poem to honor the men and women of the United States military forces:

CURRENCY

Do not give medals for our death,

Where we are, we cannot know.

Do not raise flags and hold parades;

Where we are, flags don’t go.

We ask but one thing of our land,

Of you, who had us fight:

‘Please be worth the blood we shed,

Be worth the eternal night.’

We are the currency you spend

For freedom, fear or oil;

Our blood, the coin you pay,

Dark on some foreign soil.

~ Cortland E. Richmond

Rohner Park, CA

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World War II Memories

Submitted by the family of John Abley

John C. Abley, a long-time resident of International Falls, entered into World War II in 1944. He received his training in Farragut, Idaho.

His rank was S/2c when he left for overseas from Shoemaker, Calif., in the Bay Area.

At the same time his friend Robert Davison was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago, Ill. His rank was a EM/2c.

Both were stationed on Destroyers near the Philippines. Abley was on the U.S.S. Mead DD602, and he volunteered to be on the upper deck on the 20mm anti-craft gun.

Davison’s Destroyer was grounded on a sandbar, and it was hit by a kamikaze plane. Abley’s ship was missed by a second kamikaze because it was too high, and it crashed in a ball of fire.

Abley received a message that his friend was killed in action.

Davison left behind two sons, Robert, 5, and Gary, 2, and his wife, Eva.

Abley returned home to his wife, Betty, and son, John, 2. He received several medals for his service — Pacific Theater, Philippine Liberation and Campaign and the National Defense.

He is now residing in International Falls.