May we always remember that our independence, which we celebrate each 4th of July, was hard won by the brave soldiers of the United States in the Revolutionary War. Tribute is paid to these heroic veterans and all of our nation’s honored dead each time the US flag is ceremoniously folded.  According to USFlag.org, the flag is carefully “folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for independence. In the folding, the red and white stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of night. This custom of special folding is reserved for the United States Flag alone.”

“To properly fold the flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.

Fold the lower half of the striped section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.

Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.

Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag.

Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.

The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.

When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.”

The following ceremony is quoted from the US Air Force Academy.

“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, 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 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 General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.”

Courtesy of USFlag.org and the US Air Force Academy

Bookmark to:

The Help Our Troops Call Home program is designed to help service members call home from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Those wishing to donate a prepaid calling card to a military member may log on to any of the three Armed Services Exchange web sites: the Army and Air Force Exchange Service http://www.aafes.com/, the Navy Exchange Service Command http://www.navy-nex.com/, and the Marine Corps Exchange http://www.usmc-mccs.org/. Click the Help Our Troops Call Home link.

From there, a prepaid calling card may be purchased for an individual at his or her deployed address or to any service member deployed or hospitalized. The Armed Services Exchanges will distribute cards donated to any service member through the American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society and the Fisher House Foundation.

The Armed Services Exchanges operate telephone call centers in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and other countries and aboard ships — anywhere service members are deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. All of these locations stay busy round the clock to keep up communication between deployed troops and their loved ones. The cards available through the Help Our Troops Call Home program offer the best value for calls made from the call centers; they never expire; and there are no added charges or connection fees.

On American shores, the number ONE request at the Walter Reed Medical Center is phone cards for its patients – - wounded soldiers who are rationing their calls to loved ones at home. To help on this front, you may send phone cards of any amount to:

Medical Family Assistance Center
Walter Reed Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001
(202) 782-3501

National Naval Medical Center
8901 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(301) 295-4611
Source: US Department of Defense, National Rifle Association (NRA)

Bookmark to:

Men and Women of Valor meeting everyday routines.

Some in patrol cars, meeting crime upon our streets,

Others ready to fight the fires and tend emergencies.

Some will search and rescue when they receive the call

Many will stand in guard of those who chose to live behind the wall.

Each job takes dedication and commitment to the cause,

Integrity and bravery are all that ever was.

Some are volunteers while some serve day by day,

But all will make a difference in each their own way.

To all who serve us here and our Mountain Valley ways,

We offer sincere appreciation and thanks and praise.

For when the lights go out and the worst it seems has come,

Our men and women of valor are there for many a troubled one.

So as you go do what you do, take our blessing too,

And prayers each for your safety and our

GRAND SALUTE TO YOU!

Bookmark to:

CalFire.….“Giving Back”

You can’t miss Trent “Trentman” DiMauro if you visit Merrill Campground at Eagle Lake while he and his family are there on vacation. Trent is a 16-year old young man with a contagious smile, bright eyes and a loving spirit. Trent faces the challenges of cerebral palsy, which is why you’ll see him moving about the campground in his motorized chair; but he certainly doesn’t let that stop him from making friends and changing the lives of those he meets. In fact, the group that vacations at Merrill Campground has grown over the years as Trent meets new people and brings them into his family circle.

Trent’s family has been spending their vacation at Eagle Lake for the last 29 years. Several years ago, CAL FIRE Captain Eric Thompson had the opportunity to meet the DiMauro family when he and his crew from Eagle Lake Station drove through Merrill Campground in their fire engine. They have been visiting Trent each year since. “It is wonderful to see the excitement on Trent’s face when he sees the fire engine arrive,” said Captain Thompson. “Each year we find out when he’s going to be visiting and make sure to come by and say hello.”

On July 29^th Trent became an honorary captain with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) when Captain Thompson, Firefighters Cody Leventon, Matt Falkowski, Robbie Whitchurch, and Smokey Bear presented Trent with a special helmet designed by Firefighter Rick Kelly. “This will be my last year at Eagle Lake Station,” said Captain Thompson, “and I wanted to do something special for Trent. He brings a lot of joy to the people around him. We wanted to give a little of it back.”

Bookmark to:

YOUR CHANCE TO SALUTE A LOCAL HERO IN UNIFORM:

In our fall edition (September/October), we will be including a special section saluting Local Law Enforcement and Fire Agencies and looking a bit more deeply into what it takes to be one of the men or women who represent these local departments.

TELL US ABOUT SOMEONE SPECIAL

If you have a story to tell about a local hero in uniform, please contact Eileen at 530-256-2800 or email her at mountainvalleyliving@gmail.com. Please include your name and contact information, in case we have any further questions.

Bookmark to: