Day 249: Halfway!

Based on our best guess, the Navy folks that I deployed with have deemed today to be "HALFWAY DAY" as we are halfway through our deployment. In honor of this day, we decided to fly the First Navy Jack on our flagpole today. Since September 11, 2002, by direction of the Secretary of the Navy, the Navy Jack has been flown on the front or bow of Navy ships as a symbol of steadfastness and protest against terrorism and the insurgents that embrace it. The First Navy Jack will be flown until the Global War on Terrorism is over. More on the Navy Jack as per Wikipedia...


The jack of the United States is a maritime flag representing the United States nationality flown on the jackstaff at the bow (front) of it's vessels when anchored.

Since September 11, 2002, the Navy has flown the First Navy Jack, a flag bearing 13 red and white stripes, a rattlesnake and the motto "DONT TREAD ON ME", coming from the first jacks supposedly used by the Navy during the Revolutionary War. It is flown from the jackstaff from 08:00 to sunset while Navy ships are at anchor. It is required to be the same size as the union of the ensign (US Flag) being flown from the stern of the ship. The jack is hoisted smartly and lowered ceremoniously in the same manner as the ensign.

The rattlesnake had long been a symbol of resistance to the British in Colonial America. The rattlesnake (specifically, the Timber Rattlesnake) is especially significant and symbolic to the American Revolution. The rattle has thirteen layers, signifying the original Thirteen Colonies. And, the snake does not strike until provoked, a quality echoed by the phrase "Don't tread on me."

Well enough about flags...I'm just glad that I've survived the past 5 months in Afghanistan unscathed and mentally intact. Man, am I thankful to God for life and the adventures that He places in it! God has truly revealed to me a higher purpose, and He has reminded me, through Isaiah 43:2, the promise that He will see me through raging waters, through scorching flames, and even through the desert sands of Afghanistan!

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you" Isaiah 43:2 NASB