Meaning of the Folds of a US Flag: I came across this late yesterday. I did not know the symbolism of the folding of the US Flag. I also did not know that thirteen folds were involved...

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

I came across this late yesterday. I did not know the symbolism of the folding of the US Flag. I also did not know that thirteen folds were involved during he folding. It seems appropriate today and I will try to remember to re-post it on Veterans' Day.

Bill

The first fold is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol in the belief of eternal life.

The third fold honors and remembers the veterans who have gone before us so that we may enjoy peace, liberty and prosperity.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature for as Americans trusting in God, it is to Him we turn for divine guidance in times of peace as well as in times of war.

The fifth fold is a tribute to America. In the words of Stephen Decatur: "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but she is still our country right or wrong."

The sixth fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag and the country for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces for it is through our armed forces that we protect our country, against all her enemies, foreign and domestic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered the valley of the shadow of death, that we may see the light of day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood and mothers for it is through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to our fathers for they too have given their sons and daughters for the defense of our country.

The eleventh fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in the eyes of Hebrews the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The twelfth fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in Christian eyes, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The thirteenth and final fold, when the stars are uppermost, is to remind us of our national motto: "In God We Trust."

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

A very nice and timely contribution.
--Bob

wjones8637 wrote:

I came across this late yesterday. I did not know ... (show quote)

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Somehow, with all the religious symbolism, I highly doubt this is an actual US. military description. I could be wrong, but my "overtly religious" alarms were set off by this.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

I never knew the folds symbolized anything.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

wjones8637 wrote:

I came across this late yesterday. I did not know ... (show quote)

Is this the truth?

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

azted wrote:

Somehow, with all the religious symbolism, I highly doubt this is an actual US. military description. I could be wrong, but my "overtly religious" alarms were set off by this.

I agree about the religious symbolism. I did a quick search and found that this is one of several scripts that can be recited during the folding of the flag and that several, including this one, are made available to families of those interred at national cemeteries.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I'm not trying to start a debate. Just a reminder of what it was like 246 years ago.

Remembering that one of the reasons this country was formed was for religious freedom and that most, if not all the documents written during the time, include God in their wording. The vast majority of citizens were church goers. The military fought for "God and Country".

Things are very different today. I wonder if in 50 to 100 years God, Church and all religion will disappear from the world.

Dodie

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

azted wrote:

Somehow, with all the religious symbolism, I highly doubt this is an actual US. military description. I could be wrong, but my "overtly religious" alarms were set off by this.

It is the actual US Military description, and if you have ever had to attend a Military funeral...just the site of someone folding the flag would give you chills.

https://nationalflagfoundation.org/the-meaning-behind-the-13-folds-of-the-united-states-flag/

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

CindyHouk wrote:

It is the actual US Military description, and if you have ever had to attend a Military funeral...just the site of someone folding the flag would give you chills.

https://nationalflagfoundation.org/the-meaning-behind-the-13-folds-of-the-united-states-flag/

As someone said previously, this is a remnant of the early days of the nation. I am not surprised when I think of it that way. We are so much more aware nowadays of the "politically correct" way of thinking, and having that shoved in our faces, that when the more conservative approach is used, it sounds so out of place. We have not been a military family in my generation, so I have no experience with this, but I am proud that some standards of religious participation are still allowed in the military section of our government.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

azted wrote:

Somehow, with all the religious symbolism, I highly doubt this is an actual US. military description. I could be wrong, but my "overtly religious" alarms were set off by this.

The founders - you know, the people who funded, fought, risked their lives in,the Revolution - weren't atheists, or concerned with political correctness, or woke. Well, Jefferson was agnostic, maybe borderline atheist.But, they did make sure that the rest of had the right to be ALL, or NONE, of those things. Although the current AHIC and his cronies (or is HE the crony, I forget) won't be satisfied until those rights disappear. This IS the government the founders warned us about!

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I'm 75 years old and never thought that I would see our country in the deplorable condition it is in.

May God Bless America and long may Old Glory wave in spite of what condition she is in!

I'm only s sojourner here, but this is now My Home, my Family, and my place of Worship forever in this life.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

CindyHouk wrote:

It is the actual US Military description, and if you have ever had to attend a Military funeral...just the site of someone folding the flag would give you chills.

https://nationalflagfoundation.org/the-meaning-behind-the-13-folds-of-the-united-states-flag/

Very interesting!!
I just learned something today
I have attended only one military funeral, I was 5 yrs old and giggled every time the Salute was fired, I do remember the folding of the Flag and have folded the flag many time at Boy Scout events, but Never knew the meaning of the folds.
Thank you Cindy

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

FreddB wrote:

The founders - you know, the people who funded, fought, risked their lives in,the Revolution - weren't atheists, or concerned with political correctness, or woke. Well, Jefferson was agnostic, maybe borderline atheist.But, they did make sure that the rest of had the right to be ALL, or NONE, of those things. Although the current AHIC and his cronies (or is HE the crony, I forget) won't be satisfied until those rights disappear. This IS the government the founders warned us about!

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

pendennis

One of our main jobs when I was in the Navy, was to provide funeral services for sailors from the New England area. We were well-schooled on flag protocols, but the purported meaning of the thirteen folds wasn't among them.

Not saying there wasn't/isn't a meaning, but it wasn't in the protocol manuals.