The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of. At the ceremony of retreat, a daily observance at bases during which all personnel. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal the third fold is made. We fold the flag carefully because we dont want it to come out sloppy. Even though the practice of incorporating folds did not begin because each fold had a specific meaning, specific meanings have subsequently come to be ascribed to each of the folds. The code was first adopted by congress in 1923 and revised numerous times.
Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open top edge of the flag. The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life. If a list of meanings is recited after each fold at a military funeral, it is at the. The meaning behind the folds of the united states flag. A draped flag should be held over the casket by the pallbearers and, immediately after the sounding of taps, should be folded in the correct way. What each fold means the first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The flag folding ceremony is provided as a patriotic service. Answer the folds do not represent the original colonies, nor do they have any official symbolic meaning. As the flag is folded, for each fold recite the following. A straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once. We fold the flag times to present a neat and tidy flag to the family of the fallen.
The american flag isnt folded this way because each of the folds has a symbolic meaning. Custom has ascribed specific meanings to each of the. This second fold, as shown by the picture below, results in a quarter fold the full length of the flag. According to the american legion, the code does not call for a ceremonial folding of the flag and the folding procedure is also traditional. Flag folding ceremony the meaning of each fold we the kids. Fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. Yes there are meanings assigned after the fact to the folds by various people over time. It does not include anything regarding the significance or meaning of folding the flag. Turn the outer end point inward, parallel to the open. 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. Each fold has a different meaning and those meanings are based on a set of traditional christian principles. Va clarifies policy on flagfolding recitations fold ceremony, other scripts approved. Thethirteenth fold bringsthestarsuppermost,remindingusofournationsmotto,ingodwetrust.
Have you ever wondered why old glory is folded that. In the magazine it had an article that talked about the symbolism behind the folds of the american flag that graces the casket at a military funeral before being folded and given to a surviving. The thirteen folds as a whole symbolize the thirteen original british colonies that america from which america was born. The traditional method of folding the flag is as follows. Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means to you. If youve ever attended a military funeral, perhaps you noticed that the honor guards pay meticulous attention to folding the u. Volunteer honor guards are authorized to read the socalled fold flag recitation or any comparable script. 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 second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. 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. The 50 stars represent our 50 united states of america. 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.
Folded edge is then folded over to meet the open edge. The folding of the american flag at a military funeral has folds. A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. The meaning of the folding of the american flagtruth. Meaning of the folds of the american flag courageous. Correct method of folding the united states flag a fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. Turn the outer end point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle. Have you ever wondered what each of the folds represents. There is history behind why the american flag is folded in such a precise manner. Flags and counting by shawnti peachey teacher planning information overview. Wolf, flag folding ceremony meaning of each fold youtube star spangled banner as youve never heard it duration.
On flag day, we honor our flag, and in addition, we retire those flags, that may be torn and frayed, in a very respectful way. The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks. American flagfolding procedures the american legion. The meaning behind the folds of the united states flag the. This fold procedure was common long before the more modern assigned meanings.
Fold the flag again lengthwise, now with the blue field on the outside. Some sources also indicate that the folds are a nod to the original first colonies. Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside. The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. Why the american flag is folded times here is the. This final fold of the flag leaves the stars pointed upwards as a reminder of the nations motto, in god we trust. Delaware, pennsylvania, new jersey, georgia, connecticut, massachusetts, maryland, south carolina, new hampshire, virginia, new york, north carolina, and rhode island. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of. Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it. Sep 9, 2016 folding the american flag into a triangle gives unique honor and respect to the flag.
But the folds themselves have no official meanings. Properly folded, both sides will look the same, the union covering the full left hand side from the audience view of the flag, with three full stripes and a small portion of a. B from the folded edge then fold again over to meet the open edge. These associations have sprung up over the years, and they have come to mean something to those who participate in the flag folding. The meaning of the flag folds at a military funeral.
Part of the retirement ceremony is to properly fold the flag, by folding it. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nations motto, in god we trust. A fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. There is no documentsation stating that the folds mean anything at all. The vfw post was retiring their flag, and they asked our assembly to participate in its retirement. D outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge to form. At the ceremony of retreat, a daily observance at bases during which all personnel pay respect to the flag, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nations honored dead. The folds of the american flag the meaning behind each. The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. Have you ever wondered why the flag of the united states of america is folded times when it is lowered or when it is. With the thirteen folds of the american flag, a respectful and dignified acknowledgement is rendered to all veterans who have died in defending our freedoms. If covered, men shall remove the headdress and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the hesrt peracm. It just happens to have folds, and if the flag is proportioned properly, 9 inches will be left over, and needs to be folded and tucked inanother fold. Most americans have seen the traditional folding of the american flag, at specific events, such as funerals.
It is easier if the person folding the flag takes one step forward before starting to fold the flag. This activity is designed to build an understanding that flags are connected to a country and that the attributes of the flag often have symbolic meaning. 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. The folds of the american flag the meaning behind each fold. 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. C a triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped.
Each of the folds of the flag holds great significance. Meaning of the folds of the american flag it is said that american flag is folded times and each fold has a meaning. The folds themselve number for no specific reason than thats how many times it happed to take to fold the flag the way it is folded. In a full flag folding ceremony, a reading takes place based on religious principles important to the countrys founders. It turns out that it is not true that there was originally a specific meaning to each fold and thats why there are folds. Here are the specific meanings of each fold in order that would be explained in greater detail in the. The flag oftheunitedstatesofamericaisceremoniouslyfolded timeswhenloweredorhandedtothe nextofkinattheburialofaveteran. Traditional gravesite military funeral honors include the silent folding and presentation of an american flag, a rifle salute and the playing of taps. For more than 200 years, the american flag has been the symbol of our.