Patriotic meaning behind ceremony of folding American flag

"Old Glory" / "Stars and Stripes" / "The Red, White, and Blue"

This flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded.

To properly fold the American flag, follow these directions...

      To begin, with one person at either end, hold the flag waist high so that's its surface is parallel to the ground.  The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.  The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

       Fold the flag again lengthwise, now with the blue field on the outside.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

      Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag. (It is easier if the person folding the flag takes one step forward before starting to fold the flag.)

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 in times of war for His divine guidance.

        Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.

The fifth fold is 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 it is still our country, right or wrong."

      Continue the triangular folding until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.

The sixth fold is 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.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the 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 in to 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.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

 The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, 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.

The 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 Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible. If a hem protrudes beyond the blue field, it should be neatly tucked inside the folds of the flag so that it does not show . . . The folded flag is then presented to the next of kin.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding 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 who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, 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 nation's honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

Resources: Detail on folding from  Military Funeral Honors / U.S. Defense Department . Flag Folding Ceremony  wording  from a veteran who has presided over such ceremonies for several decades.  Flag folding ceremony graphics from US Air Force Academy.   A few references had more or less folds so  all wording and available illustrations I could find are listed. Also found at link below with this note:  the following unofficial script for flag folding doesn't appear in the Flag Code and has religious references, it is very popular among many patriots.

Source links:

http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:NR8i-nlYLQMJ:www.usa-patriotism.com/reference/flag_folding.htm+flag+folding+ceremony&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

www.legion.org/national/americanflag/folding

Photo note from Photobucket.com:

Taken on May 18, 2007 This iconic photograph drew a number of responses from readers of the Nashville paper, The Tennessean, including this one: Dear Tennessean: The Tennessean's April 5 photograph of young Christian Golczynski accepting the American flag from Marine Lt. Col. Ric Thompson is one of the most moving and emotion provoking images I have ever seen. As one would expect, many of your readers were touched by this incredible picture. Staff Sergeant Golczynski had previously served one full tour in Iraq. Shortly before his death on March 27 he wrote to his family that he had volunteered to do this a second time due to our deep desire to finish the job we started. In his letter he said, "We fight and sometimes die so that our families don't have to." Tragically, Staff Sergeant Golczynski had only two weeks remaining on his second tour. We look at the photograph of Christian every day. It is displayed prominently in our home. Our hearts ache for Christian and for all those who have lost loved ones in this controversial conflict. When looking at the face of Christian Golczynski I am reminded that doing what is right is not always easy and doing what is easy is not always right. Christian's dad knew that too. James Drescher Franklin, TN I have looked into the eyes of a family member as I handed him or her a folded American flag at the end of a military burial service. I have fought to maintain my composure as I said, "On behalf of a grateful nation . . ." And looking at this picture I am struck by several thoughts: Lieutenant Colonel Thompson is not some administrative staffer for whom the notion of service and sacrifice is some vague concept to be carted out when it's politically expedient. He feels the tragedy to his marrow. Yet he can look in the eyes of this fallen warrior's son and offer compassion, strength, and hope. Staff Sergeant Golczynski would have taught Christian what it takes to be a good citizen, husband, and man. There is peace and clarity of purpose in Staff Sergeant Golczynski's legacy. That is a father's gift to his son. That should see Christian through. Regardless of our politics or stances on the Iraq war, we should be mindful of the fact that scenes like this are playing out daily across this country. (Gouge: JC) -- Ward September 2, 2007 08:09 AM | The Sunday Paper