How to Fold an American Flag

Flag etiquette is an crucial part of the American tradition that assures the Stars and Stripes are handled with the dignity they should have. Set up by Congress in 1942, the official U.S. Flag Code made suggestions for the treatment and display screen of the flag. Although it does not describe an official strategy for folding the flag, the policies do point out that you really should never ever shop a flag in a way exactly where it can get torn, soiled, or weakened. You really should also never ever let the flag touch just about anything beneath it, this sort of as the floor or flooring.

Above time, a triangular shape has turn into the classic way to fold the flag and shop it in a safe manner. According to the American Legion, the precise origin of this unique treatment is mysterious, but it may possibly trace back to the Gold Star Moms of The united states or the United States Air Power Academy.

You can fly Outdated Glory any working day of the yr, but you may possibly want to put away an particularly big flag immediately after exhibiting it on Memorial Day. This strategy will preserve your flag wanting pristine till till the Fourth of July or the up coming significant holiday. If you happen to be by on your own, initially lay the flag out on a table confront-up, smoothing out any wrinkles. Usually, come across a associate and stand opposite just about every other at the shorter finishes, holding the flag taut and parallel to the floor. Here is what to do up coming:

How to Fold an American Flag

1. Fold the reduced, striped section of the flag around the blue subject.
2. Fold around the folded base edge to fulfill the prime edge.
3. Get started a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the prime edge.
4. Convert the outer stage inward, parallel with the prime edge, to form a 2nd triangle.
5. Go on till the ultimate folds make sure that only the Union (the blue portion with white stars) is exhibiting and the open edges are folded in.

See Accurately How to Fold the Flag

A couple recommendations:

• In the initially two steps, you happen to be basically folding the flag in quarters lengthwise.
• If you happen to be folding the flag with a associate, the individual at the striped close really should make all of the triangular folds even though the individual at the Union close keeps the flag taut.
Betsy Farrell

Flag etiquette dictates only flying your flag amongst dawn and sunset unless of course it is properly illuminated. You really should also just take down Outdated Glory in the function of inclement weather conditions except if it is an all-weather conditions flag created out of a non-absorbent substance like nylon. Only fly American flags in good affliction, but as prolonged as you adhere to these suggestions, your Stars and Stripes will last many years to arrive.