Procedures for Folding the Flag
There are no Flag Code provisions which require any method, however, the following is traditional:
(a) Straighten out the flag to
full length and fold lengthwise once.
(b) Fold it lengthwise a second time to meet the open edge, making sure that the union of stars on the blue field remains outward in full view. (A large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time.)
(c) A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge.
(d) The outer point is then turned inward
parallel with the open
edge
to form a second triangle.
(e) The diagonal or triangular folding
is continued toward the blue
union until the end is reached, with only the blue showing and the form
being that of a cocked (three corner) hat.
Meaning
of Flag Folding Program
The flag folding ceremony represents the
same religious principles on
which
our great country was originally founded.
The portion of the flag denoting honor
is the canton of blue
containing
the stars representing states our veterans served in uniform. The
canton
field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted only when
draped
as a pall on the casket of a veteran who has served our country
honorably
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.
- The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the
veteran
departing
our ranks and who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country
to attain 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
enemies,
whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
- The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into
the valley of
the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor
our
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 he or she was first
born.
- The eleventh fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens,
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.
Produced
by TDToms Consulting, all rights reserved. 
No reproduction allowed without written consent. Protected by US Copyright laws.
No reproduction allowed without written consent. Protected by US Copyright laws.