The flag should be kept parallel to the ground, about waist high. The folds of the american flag the meaning behind each fold. A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded. There are very specific rules guiding the proper american flag etiquette. On a stage, the american flag should be placed to the. Born on june 14, 1777, the second continental congress determined that the flag of the united states be thirteen stripes, alternating between seven. How to fold your american flag carrottop industries. Download pdf info publication number us20170193852a1. Mar 16, 2015 the meaning of the folding of the american flagtruth.
To begin, with one person at either end, hold the flag waist high so thats its surface is parallel to the ground. A large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time. Have you ever wondered why the flag of the united states of america. The ceremonial folding and presentation of the flag is a moving tribute of lasting importance to the veterans family. How to fold the american flag the national flag foundation presents its own special flag folding ceremony, incorporating several of the virtues attributed to the colors. The formal flag folding procedure is exclusive to the united states, and other countries do not partake in the tradition.
How to fold the american flag folding the flag how to. It consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red top and bottom alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton referred to specifically as the union bearing fifty small, white, fivepointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal. Dec 21, 2011 the curatorial team agreed that the flag should be folded in the traditional, triangular pattern before putting it on display. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. To begin, with one person at either end, hold the flag waist high so thats its surface is parallel to the. Oct 14, 2010 a short video demonstrating the correct way to fold the american flag, while giving some interesting information about the flag. The stripes remind us of the original colonies that gained us our liberty. Guards make crisp, precise folds a total of times to complete the. An american flag drapes the casket of deceased veterans to honor the memory of their service to their country.
The meaning of the flag folds at a military funeral. When its not on display, the flag should be folded into a triangle. Flag presentation protocol brochure military onesource. All american flag clipart on print our flag is in pdf form. This is not, however, mandated by the united states flag code, the federal laws governing the care and display of the nations. Flags, pennants, honors, cerehlonies and customs president oftbe united states, and as such will 2.
Click here to watch an honor guard team demonstration of proper flag folding. Some people call me old glory, others call me the star spangled banner, but whatever they call me, i am your flag, the flag of the united states of america. The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life. American flag etiquette rules on displaying, folding, and. Open or download the adobe pdf of the flag you wish to print. Begin reading as honor guard or flag detail is coming forward. The national flag foundation presents its own special flag folding ceremony, incorporating several of the virtues attributed to the colors of the flag as specified in 1782 by charles thomson, then secretary of congress.
The national flag foundation recommends that this ceremony be read prior to the actual folding of the 5 x 912 casket flag. Us20170193852a1 method for folding california state flag. Because the flag represents an american tragedy of significant proportion and out of respect for the proper treatment of the artifact, the museum invited a member of the military to assist with folding the flag. For more than 200 years, the american flag has been the symbol of our. B from the folded edge then fold again over to meet the open edge. The flag is placed on a closed casket so the union blue field is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. May 31, 2012 when the flag is folded completely, the union is displayed and represents our nations motto, in god we trust. The national flag of the united states of america, which is commonly known as the american flag, is a source of pride for. C then starting from the striped end, a triangular fold is started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. The sixth fold reminds us of the sixth battleweary fighters who vigilantly. Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the united states of america flag times.
Folded american flag stock photos and images 123rf. To properly fold the flag, begin by holding it waisthigh with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground. California state flags can be folded using the traditional method for folding the united states flag, however, the result is a triangle shaped piece of cloth devoid of identity. Flag folding ceremony air force script for more than 200 years, the american flag has been the symbol of our nations unity, as well as a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. A united states burial casket flag drapes the casket of deceased veterans to honor the memory of their service to the country. Jun 16, 2017 the last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, in god we trust. The lower striped section is folded, lengthwise, over the blue field. The folded flag foundation is a 501c3 organization that provides educational scholarships and support grants to the spouses and children of the u. Jul 26, 2019 traditionally, an american flag should be folded into a triangle. After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it has the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under gen. What each fold means the first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. When performed by naval bands, renditions not be performed by naval bands as a tribute to of hail h the chie shall be as prescribed in. All american flag clipart on print our flag is in pdf form, if you dont have it download acrobat reader now to continue. Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open.
How to fold an american flag proper way to fold a flag. 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. Meaning of the folds of the american flag it is said that american flag is folded times and each fold has a meaning. The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our. A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. Flag etiquette, flag history, flag holidays, flag code, folding the flag, flag disposal, powerpoint how to treat the american flag, how to display the flag, our flags progression other educational resources. The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, is the law of the land regarding the. Outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge to form a second triangle. This is not, however, mandated by the united states flag code, the federal laws.
Here, were looking at how to properly display, fold, and care for your american flag. If the california state flag is folded like the united states flag, the observer is unable to determine the. Flag presentation protocol and flag folding a united states burial casket flag drapes the casket of deceased veterans to honor the memory of their service to the country. If the california state flag is folded like the united states flag, the observer is unable to determine the folded flag is of the state of california. Mar 28, 2009 my grandfathers funeral flag folding by the marines.
When displayed or carried in a procession with other flags, the flag should be positioned to its own right. Folding the american flag brookhaven national laboratory. The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, in god we trust. Flag folding ceremony demonstration we were proud to be a part of orange county sheriff departments flag folding ceremony practice. A website dedicated to the flag of the united states of.
C a triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped. Federal law relating to display and associated questions congressional research service 1 background public concern and confusion regarding the proper respect shown to the united states flag has given rise to many questions on the law relating to the flags handling, display, and use. The curatorial team agreed that the flag should be folded in the traditional, triangular pattern before putting it on display. Step 7 the represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their when the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible. Here by a member of the vfw 1152 military rites team. Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means to you. My grandfathers funeral flag folding by the marines. Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside. The traditional method of folding the flag is as follows. The flag of the united states of america today has stripes 7 red and 6 white and 50 white stars on a blue field five rows of 6 and four rows of 5. The stars represent the states that are bound together intop one country.
If youve ever attended a military funeral, perhaps you noticed that the honor guards pay meticulous attention to folding the u. To fold the american flag into a triangle, start by folding the striped corner up to the top edge, aligning the outside edge with the top. Flag manual the starspangled banner the national anthem of the united states by act of congress, march 3, 1931 oh, say, can you see, by the dawns early light, whose broad stripes and bright. American flagfolding procedures the american legion. The source and date of origin of the meanings is unknown, but for those who participate or witness a formal flag folding ceremony, whether it be on flag day, memorial day, july 4th, veterans day, or at a military funeral, the meanings can create an uplifting experience. American flag etiquette rules on displaying, folding. The story of our flag is the story of the nation itself. Here is one story that is dear to many veterans and their families.
The th and last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, in god we trust. We would like to extend our thanks to the officers for their professionalism and expertise, as well as taking the time to. In silence, the tautly held flag is twice folded in half lengthwise. Next, fold the pointed corner over to form a second triangle, keeping the edge of the first triangle aligned with the edge of the folded flag. United states department of defense directive 1005 united states department of defense directive 48 united states department of defense instruction 48. If you have a folded flag you would like to keep in pristine condition, you might want to purchase one of our flag display cases. From that point on, the guard continues the crisp folding of the colors in triangular shapes. Meaning of the folds of the american flag courageous. Jul 01, 2019 there are very specific rules guiding the proper american flag etiquette. Folded edge is then folded over to meet the open edge. The meaning of the folding of the american flag that is described in this erumor is not without importance, but it is not official and not required. The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner. Fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field.
The 50 stars represent our 50 united states of america. The flag of the united states of america, often referred to as the american flag or u. Educational resources the american flag foundation. Traditionally, an american flag should be folded into a triangle. Something has been bothering me, so i thought i might talk it over with you because it is about you and me. Download our how to fold an american flag brochure. We would like to extend our thanks to the officers for their professionalism and expertise, as well as taking the time to serve during this flag folding demonstration. The meaning behind the folds of the united states flag.
We offer three horizontal printable us flag clip art options for you to choose from. How to honor and display the american flag when displaying the flag, it is important to remember to use the guidelines laid out by the u. The meaning of the folding of the american flagtruth. Why the american flag is folded times have you ever wondered why the flag of the united states of america is folded times when it is lowered or when it is folded and handed to the widow at the burial of a veteran. You might have thought it was to symbolize the original colonies. The third fold is made in honor and tribute of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace. Two persons, facing each other, hold the flag waist high and horizontally between them. Delaware, pennsylvania, new jersey, georgia, connecticut, massachusetts, maryland, south carolina, new hampshire, virginia, new york, north carolina, and rhode island. D outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our veterans served in uniform. He served in the marines in wwii, so they did the ceremony. 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.
If the flag is large or the scouts are small you might need one more scout to. When performed by naval bands, renditions not be performed by naval bands as a tribute to of hail h the chie shall be as prescribed in other dignitaries. Message alleges that there is meaning to each fold of the american flag, for example, at a military funeral when the flag is presented to the family of the person who died. Jul 01, 2019 heres the right way to fold an american flag by yourself or with another person. A fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. A short video demonstrating the correct way to fold the american flag, while giving some interesting information about the flag. Correct method of folding the united states flag a fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. Armed forces, 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. As the flag is folded, for each fold recite the following. To properly fold the american flag, follow these directions. Flag code created guidelines for the care and display of the flag. Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely. A straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once. The meaning behind folding an american flag national air.