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.
|
|
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.
 |
