13 flag fold meanings pdf

We fold the flag carefully because we dont want it to come out sloppy. 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. Some sources also indicate that the folds are a nod to the original first colonies. The flag folding ceremony is provided as a patriotic service. The flag oftheunitedstatesofamericaisceremoniouslyfolded timeswhenloweredorhandedtothe nextofkinattheburialofaveteran. The folds of the american flag the meaning behind each. Sep 9, 2016 folding the american flag into a triangle gives unique honor and respect to the flag. If youve ever attended a military funeral, perhaps you noticed that the honor guards pay meticulous attention to folding the u.

Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open top edge of the flag. Fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. This final fold of the flag leaves the stars pointed upwards as a reminder of the nations motto, in god we trust. The american flag isnt folded this way because each of the folds has a symbolic meaning. 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. Turn the outer end point inward, parallel to the open. Have you ever wondered why the flag of the united states of america is folded times when it is lowered or when it is. The code was first adopted by congress in 1923 and revised numerous times. The vfw post was retiring their flag, and they asked our assembly to participate in its retirement.

The meaning behind the folds of the united states flag. D outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge to form. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nations motto, in god we trust. A straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once. A large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. Traditional gravesite military funeral honors include the silent folding and presentation of an american flag, a rifle salute and the playing of taps.

Have you ever wondered why old glory is folded that. What each fold means the first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. 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. According to the american legion, the code does not call for a ceremonial folding of the flag and the folding procedure is also traditional. Delaware, pennsylvania, new jersey, georgia, connecticut, massachusetts, maryland, south carolina, new hampshire, virginia, new york, north carolina, and rhode island. A fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. 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. Volunteer honor guards are authorized to read the socalled fold flag recitation or any comparable script. The folds of the american flag the meaning behind each fold.

Folded edge is then folded over to meet the open edge. Yes there are meanings assigned after the fact to the folds by various people over time. If covered, men shall remove the headdress and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the hesrt peracm. The traditional method of folding the flag is as follows. In a full flag folding ceremony, a reading takes place based on religious principles important to the countrys founders. Have you ever wondered what each of the folds represents. For more than 200 years, the american flag has been the symbol of our.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. Meaning of the folds of the american flag courageous. 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. 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. Flag folding ceremony the meaning of each fold we the kids. Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it. The thirteen folds as a whole symbolize the thirteen original british colonies that america from which america was born. Correct method of folding the united states flag a fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. Part of the retirement ceremony is to properly fold the flag, by folding it. It is easier if the person folding the flag takes one step forward before starting to fold the flag.

The meaning behind the folds of the united states flag the. Each fold has a different meaning and those meanings are based on a set of traditional christian principles. 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. The flag of the united states of america, often referred to as the american flag or u. Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means to you. B from the folded edge then fold again over to meet the open edge. A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. The 50 stars represent our 50 united states of america. Va clarifies policy on flagfolding recitations fold ceremony, other scripts approved. Thethirteenth fold bringsthestarsuppermost,remindingusofournationsmotto,ingodwetrust.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of. C a triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped. There is history behind why the american flag is folded in such a precise manner. 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 meaning of the folding of the american flagtruth. The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. American flagfolding procedures the american legion. Meaning of the folds of the american flag it is said that american flag is folded times and each fold has a meaning. 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. The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks. 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. The meaning of the flag folds at a military funeral. The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life. These associations have sprung up over the years, and they have come to mean something to those who participate in the flag folding.

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. Flags and counting by shawnti peachey teacher planning information overview. It does not include anything regarding the significance or meaning of folding the flag. We fold the flag times to present a neat and tidy flag to the family of the fallen. Answer the folds do not represent the original colonies, nor do they have any official symbolic 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. As the flag is folded, for each fold recite the following. Here are the specific meanings of each fold in order that would be explained in greater detail in the. Most americans have seen the traditional folding of the american flag, at specific events, such as funerals.

Each of the folds of the flag holds great significance. 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. Turn the outer end point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle. At the ceremony of retreat, a daily observance at bases during which all personnel. 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. It turns out that it is not true that there was originally a specific meaning to each fold and thats why there are folds. 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. But the folds themselves have no official meanings. Wolf, flag folding ceremony meaning of each fold youtube star spangled banner as youve never heard it duration. 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. Why the american flag is folded times here is the. 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. There is no documentsation stating that the folds mean anything at all.

This fold procedure was common long before the more modern assigned meanings. 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. 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. The folding of the american flag at a military funeral has folds. Fold the flag again lengthwise, now with the blue field on the outside. If a list of meanings is recited after each fold at a military funeral, it is at the.