Instructions on Folding & Storing American Flags
The American flag is the only flag that has a special folding custom, according to the U.S. Flag website. It should never be allowed to touch the ground, and when it is lowered, no part of it should touch anything but waiting arms and hands. To properly fold the American flag two people are required.
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Instructions
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Two people hold two corners of the flag firmly at waist height. The surface of the flag is face up and parallel to the ground.
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Bring the bottom half (stripes) of the flag up to the top edge of the flag (Bbue field of stars) to fold the flag in half lengthwise. The two people should perform this fold together.
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3
Take the bottom folded corners and bring them up to the open edge, folding the flag in half lengthwise again. The blue field of stars will be on the outside. This fold is performed by both people. When the fold is complete you will each be holding two corners. The blue field of stars will be facing up at one person's side and the stripes side will be in the other person's hands.
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4
Hold the blue end corners firmly while the person with the striped end completes the last steps alone.
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Make a triangular fold at the striped end by bringing the bottom (left-hand) corner up to the top edge of the flag. The triangle should be neat and even.
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Take the right-hand top corner and fold it over parallel to the top edge of the flag. This will form a second triangular fold.
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Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until all that is visible is the blue field of stars in a neat triangular shape. According to the U.S. Flag website, the triangular shape is meant to represent the tri-cornered hats worn by colonial soldiers.
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Store the flag in a dry place in doors. As long as the flag is folded neatly according to custom you may store the flag in any safe place. It should be handled and stored with care and respect, though no special storage is required.
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Tips & Warnings
An American flag that has become too worn out for display should be burned in a dignified and ceremonious manner.
The American flag is raised briskly in the morning and lowered slowly and ceremoniously in the evening.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pow mia and us flag image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
