The Denver Support the Troops Committee has defined how we can be of best service to Troop family members/employees and discovered that a support network was needed. A continental breakfast and a pizza luncheon were hosted on June 11, 2003 and August 26, 2003, respectively, giving family members the opportunity to visit with each other and compare what information was coming back to us from our family members in service. Everyone had concerns about the hardships and hazards in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Committee also sponsored a Veterans' Day recognition ceremony on November 6, 2003 for Denver NBC staff who are Veterans.
"Thank-You" books were made for each family service member and NBC employees wrote words of thanks and encouragement to the service members. The books were then distributed to the employees to keep until their loved ones returned or to mail forward to their service member. A signing kick off was held on May 15, 2003, subsequent to Denver's inaugural Support the Troops event on May 1, 2003, which was the subject of an article in the Winter/Spring 2003 edition of the NBC Profile newsletter.
Updates on family members are as follows. Kathy Shauvin's husband, Bruce Davis was injured in Afghanistan in late August and has returned home to Denver October 21st. Melody Jameson's husband, David is still on duty in the Mid-east. Andrea Trujillo's son, Leonard; Pat and Rick Merrill's son, Jeremy; Kae Betz's son, Jason Pearce; and Gloria Robert's son, Alastair; are all still on duty in Iraq. Pam Larkin's son, David; and LindaMarie Hanson's nephew, J.D. Keirsey; are back stateside from Iraq. Darlene Bentley's brother, Robert Nobach, returned stateside from Kuwait; and Tricia Ortiz's son, Isaac has returned stateside from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Lois Rittenhouse's daughter, Katherine Rittenhouse-Visser was honored to play taps at the funeral for Pvt. Lori Piestewa. Pam Larkin's son has agreed to come visit with Troop family members when he comes home on leave.
Future events include Christmas support, special event greetings to service family members, and a visit by David Larkin.
The Committee would like to thank all who have helped in so many ways.
The Triangular Fold of Our Flag
In the Armed Forces of the United States, when a flag is folded in a triangle, each fold has a symbolic meaning. They are:
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the external 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 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 found in or out of the boundaries of our republic.
The eight fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of the 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 the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or 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, 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 the Holly 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, over reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who served 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.
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