Folding ceremony honors U.S. flag.

Oftentimes we are asked if there is any specific ceremony to use with the folding of the Flag of the United States of America. Though we can find no specific recognized national ceremony, there are several ceremonial versions available. Among these is the National Flag Foundation's Flag Folding Ceremony.

While several of the flag folding ceremonies provide honorable tribute to the U.S. flag, the ceremony authored by the National Flag Foundation is an especially appropriate one to share with DAV and Auxiliary members who may want to incorporate the ceremony into events involving the folding of the U.S. flag. Prior to the folding of the flag, this ceremony is conducted by reading the following:

The first fold stands for liberty. In America we have freedom to pursue an education, to own property, to elect our representatives, to attend the church of our choice, to speak out, to travel freely, to seek the "American Dream." The white stripes of the flag symbolize our liberty.

The second fold represents unity. It was Abraham Lincoln who stated that a house divided against itself cannot stand. National unity in the face of natural disasters and outside threats from would-be conquerors has preserved our constitutional republic.

The third fold stands for justice. In America we believe that every person stands equal before the law and is deserving of just and fair treatment. The laborer and the lawyer are both entitled to the same justice in America. The blue of the flag embodies justice.

The fourth fold symbolizes perseverance. To persevere means to endure, to remain steadfast despite severe hardship and obstacles. U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong overcame cancer, persevered and went on to win one of cycling's most challenging races, the Tour de France. The Continental Army suffered one setback after another and persevered through the terrible winter of 1777 at Valley Forge before claiming any significant victory.

The fifth fold represents hardiness. Hardiness is the state of being able to withstand difficulty and remain resolute in the face of opposition.

The aggressors in World War II underestimated American hardiness. They thought that Americans were soft and would not endure hardship. The soldiers and sailors that fought at Normandy and Iwo Jima proved them wrong.

The sixth fold stands for valor. Valor is courage. It is the act of standing up for what is right even in the face of opposition. Nathan Hale, a famous patriot from the Revolutionary War, was captured by the British in September 1776 as a spy. Before he was hanged, his great valor was evidenced with his dying words, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country." The red color in our flag represents valor, indicative of the blood of all the heroes like Nathan Hale who sacrificed for our freedom.

The seventh fold symbolizes purity. A nation that is pure is free from taint, from what weakens, pollutes or renders it ineffective. Our founding fathers illuminated freedom's path for us when they created the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The purity of these documents enabled the United States of America to become the greatest of all nations, a land of liberty which beckons to all who are seeking asylum from persecution and oppression.

The eighth fold represents innocence. Innocence implies that one is unacquainted with evil and is thus free from sin. George Washington once stated, "The love of my country will be the ruling influence of my conduct." Americans pay tribute to him and to all those who give devoted service to uphold freedom's ideals without selfish or evil motivations.

The ninth fold signifies sacrifice. To sacrifice is to give up something for an ideal, belief, or end. America exists today because of the sacrifices of countless Americans. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice in the battles for freedom waged in Colonial America, during two World Wars, in Korea, in Vietnam, in the Gulf War, in Bosnia, and in other locations throughout the world. We pay tribute to them and to the firefighters, policemen, soup kitchen volunteers, members of our armed forces, and numerous others who continue to sacrifice for their fellow men today.

The tenth fold stands for honor. One who has honor has a keen sense of ethical conduct. To give honor to a person or ideal is to show outward respect for them. We give thanks for all who have acted with honor in the establishment and growth of our nation. We pray that each citizen and all those who represent us in government will conduct themselves in a manner that will continue to bring honor to our nation and to our flag.

The eleventh fold symbolizes independence. Independence is the quality or state of being free, of being able to make choices as individuals and as an independent nation. Ever since the birth of this nation, Americans have fiercely defended their independence against all would-be oppressors. Patrick Henry articulated the sentiments of his fellow Americans past, present, and future when he uttered those famous words, "Give me liberty, or give me death." America stands as an icon of freedom and independence for the oppressed of the world. May it always remain so.

The twelfth fold represents truth. Truth is the body of real things, events, and facts. It is preserved through adherence to reality and avoidance of falsehoods. America was established upon the God-given truths articulated in the Declaration of Independence "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Adherence to these truths has made America the great nation that it is. We pledge that we will continue this great legacy of truth, that we will avoid falsehoods so that in America all men, women, and children may forever be free.

The National Flag Foundation is headquartered in Flag Plaza, 1275 Bedford Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219. This unique facility was built for the Greater Pittsburgh Council, Boy Scouts of America, and is known as "The Flag Heart of America." For more than 30 years, The National Flag Foundation has been America's leading nonprofit patriotic organization devoted to promoting respect for our nation's most important symbol. The Foundation's mission is to teach the youth of America to have pride for the flag and to become more responsible citizens.

Anyone visiting the Pittsburgh area that would like to visit the foundation is encouraged to call [phone] to schedule a guided tour of the facilities.

For more information about how to honor and display the Flag of the United States of America a brochure is available from the Disabled American Veterans. Address your request for a brochure to: DAV National Headquarters, American Flag Brochure, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.