How do you present a folded flag?

recipient and hold the folded flag waist high with the straight edge facing the recipient. recipient and solemnly presents the flag to the recipient.

What do you say when presenting a folded flag?

Lean toward the flag recipient and solemnly present the flag to the recipient. “On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Coast Guard, and a grateful Nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.”

Do you salute a folded flag?

In the case of a cremation, as the urn is being moved, it should be followed by someone carrying a folded flag. Members should salute as the flag passes by. Former military members not in uniform may salute. However, civilians should not salute.

What do you do with a folded flag?

Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making request for it.

How do you display a burial flag?

If it is desired to display a burial flag and an appropriate flagpole is not available, the flag may be hung flat on a wall or building. The union of stars, whether the flag is hung with the stripes running horizontally or vertically, should be in the observer's upper left hand corner.

American flag folding and presentation

What does a folded flag mean?

Here is what each fold of the flag means: The first fold symbolizes life. The second fold represents a belief in eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans who gave their lives in defense of the country in order to help attain peace throughout the world.

Why can't red show on a folded flag?

The folded flag is emblematic of the tri-cornered hat worn by the Patriots of the American Revolution. When folded, no red or white stripe is to be evident, leaving only the blue field with stars. It is then presented as a keepsake to the next of kin or an appropriate family member.

How many stars should show on a folded flag?

How many stars should show on a properly folded flag? A proper flag fold should have 4 stars pointing up on one side and 6 doing so on the other side.

Does the military kneel when presenting a flag?

Kneel, on one knee, in front of the flag recipient and solemnly present the flag to the recipient. Present the flag using the veteran's military service preferred wording: Army ...

What is the proper etiquette for the American Flag?

The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored so that it might be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way. The flag should never be used as covering for a ceiling. The flag should never have anything placed on it.

Why is the flag folded 13 times at a funeral?

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost. The 13th and last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust."

Why is flag folded in triangle?

The flag gets folded into a triangle because it is actually meant to resemble a tri-cornered hat, like the ones worn by George Washington and other soldiers who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

What are 3 things one should never do out of respect to the flag?

Do you put flowers on a casket with a flag?

Flag Etiquette and Regulations

Do not set flowers on or above the flag at a military funeral service. When you drape a casket with the United States flag, set flowers apart on display stands. Fold the flag, and nestle it above the head of the departed military member or spouse; leave flowers out of the open casket lid.

What family member gets the flag at a military funeral?

At the funeral, the flag is presented to the deceased's next of kin. The next of kin is the person who is most closely related to the veteran. After receiving the flag, it is tradition among the family members to preserve for display in the house, usually in a frame.

What is step 7 in folding the flag?

Step 7: Continue folding triangles onto the union of the flag. *The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood *The tenth fold is a tribute to fathers *The eleventh fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David & King Solomon, glorifying the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.

Can one person fold an American flag?

To begin, with one person at either end, hold the flag waist high so that's its surface is parallel to the ground. Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely. Fold the flag again lengthwise, now with the blue field on the outside.

Is it disrespectful to unfold a flag?

The official flag code does not make mention of the issue; some hold that once a flag is folded it should remain folded, while others have concluded that it is a noble and patriotic way to honor the life of the military service member.

What do the three shots mean at a military funeral?

The firing of three volleys over the grave of a fallen warrior has its origin in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once the dead were removed, three-musket volleys were fired as a signal that the battle could resume.

Can you have a military funeral if you are cremated?

Funeral and Memorial Services for Veterans

Veterans can receive cremation and burial benefits if eligible. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, a veteran's family may bury or inter their loved one's ashes at any National Cemetery that accepts cremains.

Can you hang a burial flag?

May a person, other than a veteran, have his or her casket draped with the flag of the United States? Yes. Although this honor is usually reserved for veterans or highly regarded state and national figures, the Flag Code does not prohibit this use.

What do you do with a coffin flag?

How do you drape the flag on a casket? Closed Casket: When the flag is used to drape a closed casket, it should be so placed that the union (blue field) is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. It may be said that the flag is embracing the deceased who in life has served the flag.

Can the American flag be flown at night without a light?

In the case of the American flag, yes, it is illegal. The US Flag Code states that it is illegal to fly the US flag at night without adequate light. The American flag code is part of federal law.