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Flag
Folding
As
an Army and Navy custom, the flag is lowered daily
at the last note of retreat. Special care should
be taken that no part of the flag touches the
ground. The Flag is then carefully folded into the
shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the
hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for
Independence. In the folding, the red and white
stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the
light of day vanishes into the darkness of night.
This
custom of special folding is reserved for the
United States Flag alone.
How
to fold the Flag
Step
1
To
properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it
waist-high with another person so that its surface
is parallel to the ground.
Step
2
Fold
the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over
the field of stars, holding the bottom and top
edges securely.
Step
3
Fold
the flag again lengthwise with the blue
field on the outside.
Step
4
Make
a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner
of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of
the flag.
Step
5
Turn
the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open
edge, to form a second triangle.
Step
6
The
triangular folding is continued until the entire
length of the flag is folded in this manner.
Step
7
When
the flag is completely folded, only a triangular
blue field of stars should be visible.
Flag
Folding Ceremony
The
flag folding ceremony described by the Uniformed
Services is a dramatic and uplifting way to honor
the flag on special days, like Memorial Day or
Veterans Day, and is sometimes used at retirement
ceremonies.
Here
is a typical sequence of the reading:
(Begin
reading as Honor Guard or Flag Detail is coming
forward).
The
flag folding ceremony represents the same
religious principles on which our country was
originally founded. The portion of the flag
denoting honor is the canton of blue containing
the stars representing the states our veterans
served in uniform. The canton field of blue
dresses from left to right and is inverted when
draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has
served our country in uniform.
In
the Armed Forces of the United States, at the
ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in
a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout
the night as a tribute to our nation's honored
dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at
the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of
our belief in the resurrection of the body.
(Wait
for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to unravel and
fold the flag into a quarter fold--resume reading
when Honor Guard is standing ready.)
The
first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The
second fold is a symbol of our belief in the
eternal 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 as 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 they be found within or without the
boundaries of our republic.
The
eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in
to the valley of the shadow of death, that we
might see the light of 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 father, for he, too,
has given his sons and daughters for the defense
of our country since they were 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 Holy
Ghost.
When
the flag is completely folded, the stars are
uppermost, reminding us of our national motto,
"In God we Trust."
(Wait
for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the
flag--after the inspection, resume reading.)
After
the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it
takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever
reminding us of the soldiers who served under
General George Washington and the sailors and
marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones
who were 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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The Flag Folding Ceremony above is from the US
Air Force Academy |
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02/24/13
