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The Flag Folding Ceremony represents the same
religious principles in which our 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 only is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a
veteran who has served our country honorably in uniform.
In the evening, in the armed forces of the United States, at the ceremony of
retreat, the flag is lowered and folded in a triangle fold, and kept under watch
throughout the night as a tribute to our nations' honored dead. The next morning
it is brought out, at the ceremony of Reveille, and run aloft as a symbol of our
belief in the resurrection of the body.
The First fold or our flag is a symbol of life. The Second fold is a symbol of
our belief in the eternal life. The Third fold is make in honor and remembrance
of the veteran departing our ranks whom gave of a portion of life for the
defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world not to have been in
vain and shall never be forgotten.
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 times of war for His
Divine guidance.
The Fifth fold is a tribute to our country; for in the words of the immortal
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 for this is where our hearts lie - and it is with our hearts that
we pledge 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 these same
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 into the valley of the
shadow of death, that we might see the light of day; and this fold is made to
honor Mother, for whom the flag 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 characters of the men that have made this
country great have been molded.
The Tenth fold is a tribute to Father, for he too has given of his sons for the
defense of our country, since she was first born.
We fold from the stripes toward the stars; for whereas the stripes represent the
thirteen original colonies that founded our republic, and they are now embodied
in the fifty sovereign states represented by the stars; so the stars cover the
stripes.
The Eleventh fold, for in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, this represents the
lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their
eyes the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
The Twelfth fold for in the eyes of a Christian citizen, this represents an
emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes God the Father, God the Son, and
God the Holy Spirit.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, which reminds us of
our national motto, "IN GOD WE TRUST." 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 and they, followed by their comrades
and shipmates in the armed forces of the United States, have preserved for us
the rights, privileges and freedom which we are enjoying today.
How to Fold the Flag
Fold the flag in half width-wise twice. Fold up a triangle, starting at the
striped end ... and repeat ... until only the end of the union is exposed.
Then fold down the square into a triangle and tuck inside the folds.
| 1. |
Two persons, facing each
other, hold the Flag waist high and horizontally between them.
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| 2. |
They fold the lower
striped section, lengthwise, over the blue field. Hold bottom to top,
edges together, securely.
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| 3. |
Then fold the Flag again,
lengthwise, folded edge to open edge.
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| 4. |
A triangular fold is
started along the length of the Flag, from the end to the heading, by
bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open edge.
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| 5. |
Outer point is turned
inward parallel with the open edge, forming a second triangle.
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| 6. |
Repeat the triangular
folding until entire length of the Flag is folded.
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| 7. |
When the Flag is
completely folded only the triangular blue field should be visible.
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