How to Display Our Flag
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The American flag, when carried in procession with another flag, should be on the marching right - its own right. |
Another flag or pennant may be flown above the American flag only during church services conducted at sea by US Naval Chaplains for Navy Personnel. |
When displayed with another flag in the crossed-staff format, the American flag should be on its own right - and in front of the other flag's staff. |
The US flag should be centered and at the highest point when displayed on its staff with other flags. |
If other flags are flown on the same staff with the US flag, the American flag should be placed at the peak of the staff. |
When the American flag is suspended from a staff projecting horizontally from a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff - except when the flag is at half-staff. |
When displayed over a street, the flag should be suspended vertically. The union will be to the north in an east-west street, and to the east in a north-south street. |
During the unveiling of monuments or statues, the flag should never be used as a covering. |
When covering a casket, the flag should be positioned so the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into a grave or allowed to touch the ground. |
During the raising or lowering of the flag, or during its passage in a parade, all present should face the flag, and stand at attention with hand over their hearts. Men should remove their caps. |
When the National Anthem is played, all present should face the flag and salute. Men should remove their hats. |
The flag should always have the position of honor on speakers' platforms, standing to the right of the speaker. All other flags should be on the speakers' left. |
Bunting for ceremonial or decorative use should be arranged with the blue on the top, white in the middle, and red on the bottom. |
When the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be elevated to peak position, held there momentarily, and lowered. At the day's end, the flag should again be elevated to peak position before lowering. |
The American flag features 13 horizontal stripes - seven of them are red and six are white. In the upper quarter of the flag next to the staff are white, five-pointed stars that designate each state. |
How to fold the flag
1. Fold flag along length. |
2.1st. fold to the right. |
3. |
4. |
5. |
6. |
7. |
8. |
9. |
10. |
11. Fold one triangle from other sied. |
12. Tuck new flap in. |
Flag Folding Ceremony
The first fold stands for liberty. In America we have freedom to pursue an education, to own property, to elect our representatives, to attend the church of our choice, to speak out, to travel freely, to seek the "American Dream." The white stripes of the flag symbolize our liberty.
The second fold represents unity. It was Abraham Lincoln who stated that a house divided against itself cannot stand. National unity in the face of natural disasters and outside threats from would-be conquerors has preserved our constitutional republic.
The third fold stands for justice. In America we believe that every person stands equal before the law and is deserving of just and fair treatment. The laborer and the lawyer are both entitled to the same justice in America. The blue of the flag embodies justice.
The fourth fold symbolizes perseverance. To persevere means to endure, to remain steadfast despite severe hardship and obstacles. The Continental Army suffered one setback after another and persevered through the terrible winter of 1777 at Valley Forge before claiming any significant victory.
The fifth fold represents hardiness. Hardiness is the state of being able to withstand difficulty and remain resolute in the face of opposition. The aggressors in World War 11 underestimated American hardiness. They thought that Americans were soft and would not endure hardship. The soldiers and sailors that fought at Normandy and Iwo Jima proved them wrong.The sixth fold stands for valor. Valor is courage. It is the act of standing up for what is right even in the face of opposition. Nathan Hale, a famous patriot from the Revolutionary War, was captured by the British in September 1776 as a spy. Before he was hanged, his great valor was evidenced with his dying words, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country." The red color in our flag represents valor, indicative of the blood of all the heroes like Nathan Hale who sacrificed for our freedom.
The seventh fold symbolizes purity. A nation that is pure is free from taint, from what weakens, pollutes or renders it ineffective. Our founding fathers illuminated freedom's path for us when they created the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The purity of these documents enabled the United States of America to become the greatest of all nations, a land of liberty which beckons to all who are seeking asylum from persecution and oppression.
The eighth fold represents innocence. Innocence implies that one is unacquainted with evil and is thus free from sin. George Washington once stated, "The love of my country will be the ruling influence of my conduct." Americans pay tribute to him and to all those who give devoted service to uphold freedom's ideals without selfish or evil motivations.
The ninth fold signifies sacrifice. To sacrifice is to give up something for an ideal, belief, or end. America exists today because of the sacrifices of countless Americans. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice in the battles for freedom waged in Colonial America, during two World Wars, in Korea, in Vietnam, in the Gulf War, in Bosnia, and in other locations throughout the world. We pay tribute to them and to the firefighters, policemen, soup kitchen volunteers, members of our armed forces, and numerous others who continue to sacrifice for their fellow men today.
The tenth fold stands for honor. One who has honor has a keen sense of ethical conduct. To give honor to a person or ideal is to show outward respect for them. We give thanks for all who have acted with honor in the establishment and growth of our nation. We pray that each citizen and all those who represent us in government will conduct themselves in a manner that will continue to bring honor to our nation and to our flag.
The eleventh fold symbolizes independence. Independence is the quality or state of being free, of being able to make choices as individuals and as an independent nation. Ever since the birth of this nation, Americans have fiercely defended their independence against all would-be oppressors. Patrick Henry articulated the sentiments of his fellow Americans past, present, and future when he uttered those famous words, "Give me liberty, or give me death." America stands as an icon of freedom and independence for the oppressed of the world. May it always remain so.
The twelfth fold represents truth. Truth is the body of real things, events, and facts. It is preserved through adherence to reality and avoidance of falsehoods. America was established upon the God-given truths articulated in the Declaration of Independence "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Adherence to these truths has made America the great nation that it is. We pledge that we will continue this great legacy of truth, that we will avoid falsehoods so that in America all men, women, and children may forever be free.