An Honored Tradition

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Today when I was at church someone asked if I had ever read the flag folding instructions and knew what they meant, and what they stood for. I was pleasantly suprised when she started telling me what she had read. I always knew that there was honor, love, and a deep respect involved, but I didn't know how right that was and for what reason. I came home and looked it up. Here is what I found. (I know it is long, but read below the flag folding instructions, where the actual ceremony part begins.) I hope you all find it as fascinating as I did. Those that do not come from a military background may never have known this.


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.


| The Flag Folding Ceremony above is from the US Air Force Academy |



4 Comments:

Blogger Jenna said...

Thanks for that information. It is always an honor to read about the flag. I've read several blogs that have had a post about our flag. Mostly "flag burning" and there opposed thoughts. This is a great tribute, and hopefully it will give some people a renewed pride in our country. Since our current "administration" isn't giving us much hope.

4:53 AM  
Blogger golfwidow said...

I learned this (and other flag etiquette) in sixth grade safety patrol and I wish they still taught it - it might make people a bit more respectful.

5:15 AM  
Blogger Jon said...

Great post, she is a wonderful symbol of our great country and I am greatful that I had the opportunity to serve our great countrey for 9 years in Navy and I was a part of numerous flag raising a lowering details and I didn't recall all of this great information you provided in this post.

I also thank my lucky stars we have a President that has the guts to stand up to all of these naysayers and defeatest that want us to "Cut and Run" instead of defending and protecting our freedom to exist away from the threat of terror on our own soil.

One last thing I hope every single person that thinks it is ok to burn our great flag in protest reads this post or any other story that explains about what this great flag means and then just maybve they might feel the shame that they are bringing on to themselves by burning it.

4:19 AM  
Blogger ...jus me said...

Very well said Jon, and thank you for serving to protect our freedom. The flag still gives me goose bumps. I can only imagine the feelings she invokes if you are in a foreign land risking your life. Thank you again!

9:54 AM  

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