The U.S. flag is folded into 13 triangles with each fold having a meaning.
The U.S. flag symbolizes the courage of those who died to preserve its strength.
The colors on “Old Glory,” as it is sometimes referred, have special meaning -- the white signifies purity and innocence; the red: hardiness and valor; and blue: vigilance, perseverance and justice.
The flag waves in the wind throughout the day and when it is time to retire it at the day’s conclusion, it should be done in reverence.
The flag should be folded with 13 triangle-sized folds. Each of the 13 – same number as the original colonies – has its own meaning.
The folds are a symbol of life; signify our belief in eternal life; honor and tribute of the veterans departing our ranks; exemplify our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; acknowledges our country; where our hearts lie; tribute to our armed forces; tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death; honor to womanhood; tribute to father; 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; 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; and when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, which reminds people of the national motto “In God We Trust.”
The poem “Old Glory” reads: “I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings. I stand watch in America’s halls of justice. I stand guard majestically over great institutions of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world. Look up and see me. I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident; I am arrogant; I am proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I bow to no one. I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped. I am loved and I am feared. I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years: Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomattox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, in the Persian Gulf and a score of places long forgotten, by all but those who were there with me. I was there.
I led my Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. I followed them and watched over them. They loved me. I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my Marines and Sailors cheered me. And I was proud. I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries that I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my own country. And when it is by those I have served in battle with, it hurts. But I shall overcome, for I am strong. I have slipped the bonds of earth and from my vantagepoint on the moon, I stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space.
I have been silent witness to all of America’s finest hours. But my finest hour comes when I am torn in strips to be used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle - when I fly at half mast to honor my Soldiers, my Airmen, my Sailors, my Marines, and - when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother, at the graveside of her fallen son or daughter.
I am proud. My name is “Old Glory.” Long may I wave, dear God, long may I wave.”