If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you
will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It
is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National
Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly
modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is
always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the
symbols mean.
[img]http://funone.com/2001/08/dollar/6back.jpg[/img]
The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons:
First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to
soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken
from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This
country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a
white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together
as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM",
meaning, "one nation from many people".
[img]http://funone.com/2001/08/dollar/7back.jpg[/img]
Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen
original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again,
we were coming together as one.[img]http://funone.com/2001/08/dollar/6back.jpg[/img]
Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and
arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to
preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in
time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.
[img]http://funone.com/2001/08/dollar/1back.jpg[/img]
They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a
worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any
hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original
colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our
flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in
"E Pluribus Unum", 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13
leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows.
And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.
[img]http://funone.com/2001/08/dollar/onedollar.gif[/img]
I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?" Your children don't
know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans
have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember
coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came
home at all.
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