Flag-folding ceremonies are a dramatic way to honor the flag on special days, such as Memorial Day or Veterans Day.
Special care should be taken that no part of the flag touches the ground. The flag is carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for independence.
The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.
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STEP?1:?Members of Boy Scout Troop 143 and Cub Scout Pack 143 work together to fold an American flag. The Boy Scouts assisted the Cub Scouts with the lesson, under the guidance of Linny Harden, scout master with Cub Scout Pack 143, left, and Jim Orsine, cub master with Pack 143, at right. Participating are David Thomas, Parker O’Neil, Keith Cramer, Tyler Davis, Tyler McDonald and Ryan McDonald.
To place a flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised to the peak for a moment before it is lowered.
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag and saluting. When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.
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How to Properly Fold the Flag
Step 1. To properly fold the flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.
Step 2. Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.
Step 3. Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.
Step 4. Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edges to meet the open (top) edge of the flag. The folding is done from the folder's right to left on the initial fold.
Step 5. Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.
Step 6. The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.
Step 7. When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.
Source: www.usflag.org
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When carried in a procession, the flag should be go the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right,
When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.