I originally wrote this article about the folding of the flag to honor Flag Day – June 14 (original posting 6/14/14). Over the last year (2018-2019) the significance of this ritual has gained a lot more meaning.
There are many memes on social media that express that many do not understand the importance of the flag until you have been handed one that has been used to honor the dead. Yes, it is a material object, but it means so much more than that. It makes me so sad and mad that we value what phone we have or car we drive but cannot value the flag that honors our country.
I was never an active member of the military, so I only new the basics of flag etiquette. It wasn’t until my husband and I became active members of the Legion that I began learning the details. Having dealt with several losses I gained a new appreciation for the flag folding ceremony.
Flag Folding Procedure
The details below are from the Legion’s website for the flag folding program.
Begin by folding the flag into a rectangle. Once it is properly lined up it will be folded into a triangle. This shape is a reminder of the hats worn during the War of Independence.
- FIRST FOLD – A symbol of life
- SECOND FOLD – A symbol of our belief in the eternal life
- THIRD FOLD – Made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks and who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
- 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.
- FIFTH FOLD – 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 she is still our country, right or wrong.”
- SIXTH FOLD – Stands 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.
- SEVENTH FOLD – A tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all the enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
- EIGHTH FOLD – A tribute to the one who entered into 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.
- NINTH FOLD – A tribute to womanhood it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the characters of the men and women who have made the country great have been molded.
- TENTH FOLD – A tribute to father, for he too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.
- ELEVENTH FOLD – In the eyes of Hebrew citizens, 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.
- 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 the Holy Spirit.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our National motto, “In God We Trust.”
No matter what your beliefs are about the state of our country the flag is meant to be a symbol of unity. I hope you will respect it as that and move forward with compassion.
