Folding Your Flag

Steps to fold your US
flag correctly:

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the
ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold
and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s
honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony
of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection
of the body.

• The first fold of
  our flag is a symbol of life.
• The second fold is a
  symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
• The third fold is
  made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks and
  who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain
  peace throughout the world.
• The fourth fold
  represents our weaker nature; for as American citizens trusting in
  God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of
  war for His divine guidance.
• The fifth fold is a
  tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our
  country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right,
  but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
• The sixth fold is
  for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge
  allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the
  republic 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 the Armed Forces
  that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies,
  whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our
  republic.
• The eighth fold is a
  tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of
  death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother,
  for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
• The ninth fold is a
  tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, 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 father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for
  the defense of our country since he or she was first born.
• The eleventh fold,
  in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the
  seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes,
  the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
• The twelfth fold, in
  the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity
  and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy
  Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are
uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in,
it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the
soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors
and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed
by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United
States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we
enjoy today

Straighten out the flag
with the union at the
top left

Fold the flag in half.

Fold again making sure the union is on top

Start a triangular fold and bring the striped corner
of the folded edge to the open edge.

The outer point is then turned inward parallel with
the open edge to form a second triangle.

The diagonal or triangular fold is continued toward
the blue union until the end is reached

The end result should be a triangular union.