The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. 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 meaning of the flag folds at a military funeral. When completely folded, the flag forms a triangle, which is representative of the tricornered hats worn by colonial soldiers during the revolutionary war. General military information military funeral protocol 1. Guard army national guard of the united states, and the u. Highland lakes honor guards sacred mission in jeopardy. The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life. Once folded, the flag resembles a triangle, representative of the threecornered hats worn by colonial soldiers during the revolutionary war. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks. Taps will be played by a bugler, if available, or by electronic recording. Outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge to form a second triangle. Some military traditions and rituals have a deep patriotic meaning, and this one especially should always be honored, and should never be taken lightly.
The national flag foundation recommends that this ceremony be read prior to the actual folding of the 5 x 912 casket flag. Keep the legs straight without stiffening or locking the knees. Every member of the gpd honor guard has attended the national honor guard academy where they received specialized training in funeral planning, drill and ceremony, death vigil and casket watch, casket movement, flag folding, ceremonial firing detail, color guard, posting of colors, rifle movements, and proper us flag etiquette. As the honor guard makes the folds traditionally representing the original colonies they recite the first fold of our flag is a symbol of life, the second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life, etc. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal 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.
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. The honor guard does not provide the flag, which is usually obtained by a funeral home from the va or local post office with the proper documentation. Click here to watch an honor guard team demonstration of proper flag folding. You probably thought it was to symbolize the original colonies, but we learn something new every day. At morning colors, the ensign shall hs stsrtad up at lhe beginning of the music and hoisted smartly to the psak or truck. As the honor guard makes the folds traditionally representing the original colonies they recite the first fold of. The significance of shell casings in a burial flag synonym. The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The flag is placed so the union blue field is at the.
No matter how strongly anyone insists that there is, there really isnt any meaning behind a single fold. The american flag is folded times to represent the original colonies. Folding the american flag into a triangle gives unique honor and respect to the flag. The traditional method of folding the flag is as follows. American flagfolding procedures the american legion.
The presenter, if possible a member of the same service as the deceased, will lean forward 8 while presenting the folded flag, with the straight edge of the flag facing the recipient. It provides detailed instructions on key areas such as manuals, uniforms, history and traditions, and a variety of ceremonies. Honor guard team demonstrate proper flag folding techniques. Born on june 14, 1777, the second continental congress determined that the flag. The folds of the american flag the meaning behind each fold. Do you know that at military funerals, the 21 gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776. Honor guard units perform the same tasks from timetotime.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life. To come to attention, bring the feet together smartly, the heels and balls of feet are together and on line. A straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once. Have you ever wondered why the flag of the united states of america. The highland lakes honor guard operates free of charge in any weather at the funerals of veterans in burnet and llano counties. The meaning of the thirteen flag folds the drillmaster. Occasionally, the family does not choose to have a military presence at the funeral, but does request presentation of the american flag by the funeral director. The honor guard presents a final salute to the deceased veteran during the playing of taps. Below are several suggested scripts to be used during flag. The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world. An honor guard composed of one or more branches of the united states armed forces, presents the flag to the next of kin. At evening colors, the ensign shall be started from the peak or. The meaning of the folding of the american flagtruth.
Download our how to fold an american flag brochure. If the honor guard folds the flag, it is handed to the minister or senior military representative for presentation to the family. 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 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 portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our veterans served in uniform. Courtesies to the national flag and the national anthem of the united states 2 2, page. Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention correctly folding the american flag times. The procedure involves folds, representing the original colonies. An american flag drapes the casket of deceased veterans to honor the. It will be used to standardize ceremonies and the manner in which they are performed from base to base. The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded.
He served in the marines in wwii, so they did the ceremony. The honor guard may fold the flag, if nonmilitary pallbearers are used. This brochure is a quick reference for such occasions. A va official had pulled the recitation of the meaning of each fold of an honor guard funeral flag from burial ceremonies at national cemeteries last month after a complaint was filed with the white house over the recitation accompanying the 11th fold that mentions the god of abraham, isaac and jacob.
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. The participants folding the flag are likewise in full uniform and are often members of the installations elite honor guard. Do you know why the american flag is folded exactly times. New air force flagfolding rules strangle constitution. Think the travis air force base retirement assault did not. Folded edge is then folded over to meet the open edge. Flag presentation protocol and the meaning of the folds of. If there is a firing party, the volleys are fired before the sounding of taps. General military information military funeral protocol. Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means. Have you ever noticed how the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the american flag times. Membership in the honor guard is on a voluntary basis and therefore all the equipment issued by the honor guard is the property of american legion post 347 and shall be returned upon resignation or any other reason.
The th and final fold, when the flag is completely folded, reveals the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, in god we trust. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, is the law of the land regarding the handling and displaying of the american flag. At a funeral, when a military honor guard salutes and. The ceremonial folding and presentation of that flag is a moving tribute of lasting importance to the veterans family. Mar 28, 2009 my grandfathers funeral flag folding by the marines. As with all aspects of a military funeral, the honor guard must follow the.
Folding of the flag juniata county veterans council. I have also learned that our volunteer honor guards may be using the handout as a script and reciting the meaning of the thirteen folds of the flag while. Deviations are notauthorized without written exception to policy waiver from the usaf honor guard bhg. The flagfolding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded. What each fold means the first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. At issue are secondary meanings attached to the folding of the flag.
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. Prominent in such occasions is the flagdraped casket. Nicolas diaz, action officer for air force services at the pentagon, said despite the widespread use of the 1980s script, there never was an official script. The honor guard conducts full military honors, to include pallbearers and a chaplain, when needed. For the first horizontal fold, bring the left side of the flag as we are viewing it here in these diagrams up to half of the top stripe, which is the same as the horizontal line of the stars. How to fold the american flag folding the flag how to. 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. Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the united states of america flag times. What military funeral honors are provided for veterans. The honor detail will, at a minimum, perform a ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the american flag to the next of kin and the playing of taps. It has come to my attention that cemeteries may be distributing a handout entitled the meaning of each fold of an honor guard funeral flag andor posting the handout in cemetery buildings. The american flag isnt folded in this manner because each of the folds has a special symbolic meaning. Meaning of flag folding program the flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded. Fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field.
A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. Those on the left side, reach down, grasp the folded end of the flag, and bring it up to even with the horizontal top. The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. Flag presentation protocol brochure military onesource. Id risen from my seat prior to the sergeant of the vfw honor guard presenting the nowfolded flag that had draped my fathers casket at the graveside. The blue field of our nations flag is placed at the head of the coffin, over the left shoulder of the deceased veteran. I guess this settles the one nation under god debate once and for all. Honor guard reveals meaning of flag ceremony camden. Have you ever noticed that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the united states of america flag thirteen times. They then refolded the flag with precision as frank lewis told the meaning of each fold. Va bans flag folding ceremony because of reference to god. Attention shall resounded, followad by the playing of the national anthem by the band. Raising and lowering the american flag the drillmaster.
Begin reading as honor guard or flag detail is coming forward. 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. Below are several suggested scripts to be used during flagfolding ceremonies. In silence, the tautly held flag is twice folded in half lengthwise. The procedures herein are under the guidance of the usaf honor guard iaw afi 34501, mortuary affairs program. The thirteen folds of the american flag are rich in tradition, meaning, and honor. If the family specifically requests that the cap honor guard present the flag to the family, the honor guard may do so. Today, there are so few buglers available that the military services often cannot provide one. Named americas toprated flag retailer save up to 40% on americanmade flags. A local tradition dating back to 1985 was continued friday when the highland county veterans honor guard held a flag retirement ceremony on flag day, friday, june 14. Furor after ceremonial flagfolding readings pulled from.
My grandfathers funeral flag folding by the marines. Many create their formation out of what has been handed down by wordofmouth which can be unfortunate. Air forces flag folding ceremonies lose religious references in a telephone interview, capt. Mar 16, 2015 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. On this memorial day, when you see an american flag flying in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, pause and consider the meaning behind the flag. Next, todays honor guard, composed of veterans sherman boyd, keith ivy, brent middleton, and spurgeon smith, marched to the front of the room where they unfolded a triangularshaped flag. The terms must, shall, and will, as used in this manual, denote mandatory actions. Drillmaster january 22, 2019 honor guard, honor guard training, instructional, jrotc leave a comment there is no official meaning to the folds of the american flag. Have you ever wondered what each of the folds represents. The meaning of flag folds flag, life symbol, honor guard.
There is no official flagfolding ceremony and there is no official meaning to each of the folds. Honor guard the honor guard conducts full military honors, to include pallbearers and a chaplain, when needed. The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. Jrotc units are tasked with raising and lowering the flag s at their school. The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right. Meaning of flag draped coffin american legion post 598. Born on june 14, 1777, the second continental congress determined that the flag of the united states be thirteen stripes, alternating between seven. Joint base andrews honor guard flag folding two members of the joint base andrews honor guard team demonstrate proper flag folding techniques.
225 772 605 642 1485 1301 386 1440 30 43 1454 1497 269 881 532 1130 1241 22 30 1127 762 745 1095 129 1055 1451 869 689 558 1024 478 788 675 879 1468 918 796 420