How to Fold The American Flag

Folding the United States Flag correctly is a sign of respect and is a time honored custom. Whether you are taking a flag down from it's pole, removing it from a coffin of a veteran or just putting it away for safekeeping, it's important to know how to fold the flag correctly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• US Flag
• 2 People

1. Two people hold the flag horizontally at waist height with the blue Union section away from any onlookers and to their left.
2. Fold flag in half, lengthwise; keeping the fold towards onlookers.
3. Fold in half, lengthwise, once again. Both sides should look the same if folded properly.
4. The person holding the side with the stripes begins making triangular folds; working from right to left of any onlookers view.
5. The blue field of the Union is the only section showing outwardly when the flag is folded properly. This symbolizes the safekeeping of the flag during the dark of night.

Tips & Warnings

• Never let the flag touch the ground
• You may only display your flag at night if it is kept lit. If not, you are to retire and fold the flag nightly.