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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