Welcome to

Moose Cove Women's Retreat

Flag Raising Ceremony

Let's pledge to the

American Flag:

I 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.

Let's pledge to the Christian Flag:

I pledge allegiance to 

the Christian flag and to the

Savior for whose kingdom it stands.

One Savior, crucified, risen

and coming again, with life 

everlasting to all who believe!

Let's pledge to the Bible!

I pledge allegiance to the Bible,

God's Holy Word, and will

make it a lamp unto my feet

and a light unto my path.

I will hide its words in my heart

that I might not sin against thee.

I Am Your Flag

I was born on July 4, 1777.
I am more than just cloth shaped into a design.
I am the refuge of the world's oppressed people.
I am the silent sentinel of freedom.
I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth.
I am an ensign for which American patriots gave their lives and fortunes.
I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to the steaming treacherous jungles of Vietnam.
I walk in silence with each of your honored dead, to their final resting place beneath the silent white crosses - row upon row.
I have flown through peace and war, strife and prosperity, and amidst it all
I have been respected.
My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of the glorious nation.
My white stripes signify the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons.
My blue field is indicative of God's heaven under which I fly.
My starts, clustered together, unify 50 states as one, for God and country.
"Old Glory" is my nickname, and proudly I wave on high.
Honor me, respect me, defend me with your loves and your fortunes.
Never let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position, lest I never return.
Keep alight the fires of patriotism, strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy.
Worship Eternal God and keep His commandments.

The Symbols of the Folds of the Flag

The first fold 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 of a portion of his life for the defense of our country; to attain peace throughout the world not to have been in vain and  never be forgotten.

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 immortal 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 where our hearts lie, and it is with our hearts 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 these same 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 into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day and this fold is made to honor Mother, 
for whom it flies on Mother's day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to our Womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the characters of the men that have made his Country great have been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to Father, for He too has given of his sons for the defense of our Country, since She was 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, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

The twelfth fold  in the eyes of a Christian citizen,  represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost.

We fold from the stripes toward the stars,
 for, whereas the stripes represent the thirteen original colonies that founded our Republic,
 and they now embody the fifty sovereign states represented by the stars, 
so that the stars cover the stripes.  

When the Flag is completely folded the stars are uppermost, which reminds us of our Nation's 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;
  followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States,
 have preserved for us the rights, privileges and freedom which we are enjoying today.