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 trngle.
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
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