Navy For Moms

(In ref. to the “The Folded American Flag“ Meaning of Each Fold post)

http://www.navyformoms.com/profiles/blogs/the-folded-american-flag-...

LMBO!!!!!!!!!!! OhMyGosh!!!!!!! How funny. I have just let this get way out of hand. (or at least my behavior) Ok, let's try to fix this, girls and I'm going to use one of my personal contacts info without using her name here. She contacted me after all of this started because she wanted me to know that what I had posted was used even at a family members funeral. She was so upset over the entire argument that she has contacted a family member in another country to have them find the pamphlet it was on, so that she might then weigh in on this ‘discussion’ with it ‘in hand’ and I’m sure, to then be able to feel that she was right in doing so. God Bless her. When did we become so fearful on this site that we feel we must have “proof” in hand before we post something?
She also mentioned participating in ceremonial flag duties as a child in some organization as many of us do. So… see… here’s the thing. It was exactly that reason that I posted the item in the first place. Because I had become aware that it is often read now at various funerals and ceremonies. Many of those are of military origins. No, the “reason for the folds” is not the reason the flag was originally folded that way, it was simply folded in a way to distinguish it from things not so meaningful, so that it wasn’t folded up like a bed sheet or such, but the folds themselves didn’t ’mean’ anything in particular. However, over time, somewhere, someone came up with this beautiful ‘meaning’ of the folds. And, as beautiful as it is, over time, it has come to mean a great deal to many and the place it is now most often requested and read is at various military functions including military retirement ceremonies and funerals, many of them at Arlington National Cemetery, and very often is made a part of many VFW ceremonies along with civilian ceremonies. It is not, nor have I stated that it is read at every single ceremony or funeral. And I can’t imagine any reason in the world that it would be “taught’ at boot camp, Navy or otherwise.
So, although it isn’t law, this brings us back to the original intent of my post. I thought it was, and still think it is a beautiful reading and will always feel pride any time I hear it. I believed then and now that many others on this site would enjoy seeing it also. It is no ones responsibility to ‘cover all the bases’ on each and every item they post here. They cannot nor should they feel as though they must make every potential reader happy with what they are writing and posting. If that were so, no one would ever feel as though their posts were welcome here.
I sincerely hope, and say this with no animosity, I hope that everyone who is a member of this site, whatever your reason for being here, I hope everyone would feel comfortable enough to write whatever you want to share here. I pray you will do so without fear of being corrected or censured by anyone. Why, because I believe I often learn more about myself when I put down in black and white what is in my head. I often learn more about my fears, what I fear and why I fear it. I sometimes learn that I don’t even believe what I have been saying out loud, and just don’t realize that until I see it there before me, which then allows me to grow and change as a woman, a mother and a human being. But most importantly, it has been here, amongst other Navy Mothers, Sisters, Grandmothers, Wives, Fiancé’s, girlfriends and even the occasional man, it has been here that I have learned that I am not alone in my fears and my hopes and dreams for my child and sometimes for myself. Saying that, I hope that everyone reading this today will understand and agree that while we all NEED this site for our own personal reasons, what we need most of all from this site is to not be fearful of correction and/or reprimand. No, what we need most is each other and a safe place to share, write and sometimes vent. So I would ask that in the future if you, the reader, do not agree with my posts or blogs, please move on to one you do agree with or in fact, I hope you feel free and comfortable enough on this site to post your own views in your own posts or blogs. Whatever you choose to do, please refrain from criticizing me and those who would ask the same. If you also feel this way, please do add your name below and in doing so, know that you are also making a commitment to honor and support the women and the writings they entrust and share with us here. I and others like me will try to honor this. So. Let me be the first to say and sign this.

I will do my best to honor and keep safe the things you write here. I will not correct you, I will not demean you. I will do my best to encourage you to write whatever you can, whatever you are able, whatever you feel is important to you, whatever you want to here. I know some days what you share with us may be funny or humorous, it may be something you’ve been sent, it may be something you think will lift my spirits, it may be something patriotic, or it may be something you feel will tug at my heart strings and make me cry. Most importantly I will try to listen with my heart to what you write when it comes from your heart. I promise not to criticize or hamper you in any way because the most important thing of all is that you are here. Because I need you.

Love and Prayers, Beverly Staton

Tags: criticize, viewpoint, welcome, writing

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Since this started with your blog, it's probably best to keep it with your blog. I don't see the reason to bring it here unless you want to rally the troops? Most here were and remain unaware of what prompts you to write this. Perhaps we should keep it that way? You certainly do have the right to say what you want, but so do others and truth matters.
Achesh if you didn't like what was written here you didn't have to read it, nor comment. The point seems to me that we all have our own opinions and should be able to state them without being attacked.
Yes, exactly my point. Reading the blog's responses are quite the contrary to that belief and so this smacks of a continuation of that. I know I don't want to see that here in the 'general' area if it's being played out in a blog and, given your response, I doubt you do, either.
The 2nd comment by you Achseh (on this site) that is condescending. You treat others like you're the dictator. What she wrote was a good read, and I don't see where she said it was printed in the Blue Jacket manuel.
Ok, here we go! Continue on, I won't have a part of it.
And by the way, the dictator comment was pretty rude and uncalled for.
If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck... You have treated other new comers the same way. I remember a discussion where you attacked Beachcomber. that was uncalled for. Treat others how you would like to be treated. If after you write, you re-read it, and it sounds hateful, just don't post it.
CCR, I had no idea who this beachcomber is so I did a search and found the one and only interaction I had with this person. I was prepared to apologize thinking I must have been pretty darned hurtful for you to intervene on their behalf.

Someone needs to apologize and it is YOU. You've been pretty nasty with all the name calling you've been doing toward me on this thread. I don't know what your problem is, but I've had enough.

This is the only thing I've ever said to beachcomber and boy was it ever hateful!

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/any-enlistment-bonuses?page...


" Reply by Achseh on September 1, 2009 at 11:59am
He will get an education if he pursues it. He will get advanced if he pursues it. He can try for officer if he pursues it.

Mom, he's an adult and has pursued something that interests him. He made his decision and legally entered into the contract. He doesn't have to show you the contract.

And if he doesn't pursue the above, doesn't mean that he's messed up his life. It will be alright. Have faith in him.

Celebrate him and his choice to serve his country. It's a fine and honorable thing that most young people never do. He should be commended and I thank him for his willingness to serve our country."
You know when my son went to boot camp this website answered questions, listened to my concerned and supported me when I was angry, sad, lonely and afraid. When I was worried about my son they reassured me he was ok or I would know otherwise. You know what???? To my amazement this group of wonderful people helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life and as they said everyone survived and are now thriving. My son loves the Navy and I have to apologize to everyone here for not spending the time here that I want to. I have had some health issues but I am pledging to try to check in 3 times a week to help where I can because I was supported when I didn't know there was anyone to support me and I want to offer the same back. We should be able to ask, question or discuss anything within reason. If you don't like the discussion there is a little button on the keyboard that allows you to close the window. Just click that button and look at another discussion there are many, many good and bad or indifferent discussions about important stuff, stupid stuff, petty stuff and nonesense stuff you name it I think we have it.

I am proud that my son is a part of our military. I am proud he is keeping us safe and is a part of the Navy. I am proud to be a part of the NavyforMoms. Let's support each other. We are here to support each other but we do have one Big thing in common....we are all a part of the Navy one way or the other.

Hang in there Beverly, I'll stand with you.
God Bless, Terry
I'm with you girl. What was that saying? If you don't have anything nice to say then keep your mouth shut LOL!
Terry and Jenny you are both 100 % correct the problem is that every crowd or group has a few bad apples that try and spoil it for all. With Beverly's post that is what has happened. There are many of us Mom's that have to stay away from certain groups because of the attack's by the bad apple's. Being truthful - I am sick of the bad apple's trying to ruin it for all of us. I normally, outside of a group that I belong to, don't say much - but since at this time we still have our freedom of speech I felt the need to speak up, speak up for Beverly who originally shared a very lovely post - and she was attacked. Please also note I do not know Beverly but I believe in freedom of speech and didn't like how those who think they are all holier then thou attacked another mom. The real problem here is that the admin allows them to continue their ugliness and hatred on this site that was made for us to assist / help each other.

Achseh I am not sure you have gotten the whole point there is a small group of - people on this site who attack anyone who doesn't follow them. The original post by the above author was attacked by these nasty people. Beverly here was showing what a bigger person she is then those who are mean, rotten and ugly - that is it - as I see it.
What a great explanation of how you feel and believe! May we all strive to do the same.... explain and then move on.
Hugs,
Colleen

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