Description:
The stamp art is a painting of three flags in a circular formation, reminiscent of the 50 flags encircling the Washington Monument. The artist used three separate photographs of the same flag taken seconds apart as reference and stitched together the images into a single composition. Laura Stutzman was the stamp designer and illustrator. Ethel Kessler was the art director.
A woman named Glynis Seeley once said, "You don't know what the [American] flag really means until you've been handed a folded one." She was referring to the flag-folding ceremony completed at the funeral of a member of the armed forces. The branch of service who performs the flag folding is the same branch the soldier was a part of. Once folded, the flag is then presented to the next of kin or other family member of the soldier. The presenter then recites "On behalf of the president of the United States, [the branch of service], and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service."
When folding an American flag, precisely 13 folds are made, with each representing a different principle. The folds honor life, veterans, mothers and fathers, God, and more. The flag is folded twice lengthwise, making sure the stars on the blue field remain outward. The third fold begins a series of triangle folds ending with the remaining portion of the flag neatly tucked in. The final shape is meant to remind us of the three-corner hat popular during the Revolutionary War and the beginning of our great country.
Our flag is more than just a symbol of our country. It is a symbol of the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe... and free.