The
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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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
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.
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