WHY THE FLAG IS FOLDED THIRTEEN TIMES.

Email | 10/15 | Email

[tje]

Sorry, but I don't buy it..

[meisterbrewer]

Sounds good, but I doubt this has any basis in fact. More likely was thought up by someone recently and emailed out.

Lots of holes in this, anyway. For instance, if I'm not mistaken, Jews did not begin to come to America until the latter part of the 1800's, long after we had gone through several flags with 13 stripes and begun to fold it 13 times. So why would there be an 11th fold thrown in for a Hebrew citizen?

I would be willing to bet that the real reason there are 13 folds is because that is how many it takes to fold it. Sometimes the simplest answer is the best one.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Great article. I am curious. Once a flag is folded what should be done with it? Is there a way to preserve it. Would it be disrespectful or wrong to ever fly it again? Thanks for any information you could offer.

[Pyro7480]

There have been Jewish communities in America since colonial times, particularly in Newport, RI, Savannah, GA, and Philadelphia.

[In mourning for six years]

...It should be taught in our public schools daily. Should be, but it won't be!

[meisterbrewer]

My bad. I see after a quick search that some began to immigrate as early as 1640's. Still, the explanation of the 13 folds seems a little to suspicious to believe.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump
To read later

[Barnacle]

I don't know what flag you're looking at. But, my American flag has seven red stripes, 13 total.

[A Marine]

In fact, this is the Uniformed Services Flag Folding Ceremony. Yomo has it wrong only in the fact that the Flag Folding Ceremony does not call for 13 folds, only that When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust."

A google search will bring up 3,300+ sites dealing with the Flag Folding Ceremony or you can view it here, a slideshow I put together in May, 2000.

A Marine

[Jennifer in Florida]

Sounds good, but I doubt this has any basis in fact. More likely was thought up by someone recently and emailed out.

No, it's for real. Check it out: Here's a link, from the US Air Force Academy website Flag Folding Ceremony Or click here ~~> Flag Folding Ceremony

[stylin19a]

This information ( except for the goofy reason for the 21 gun salute) is on the United States Air Force Academy web site here ---> USAFA FLAG FOLDING.
I ain't gunna argue with the UASFA.

[Jennifer in Florida]

My father, a veteran who served in Korea during the Pueblo incident, just died in July and this ceremony was so beautiful. The honor guard that had performed it were in tears as they handed the flag to my mom :(

[ken in texas]

I'll offer this URL from the Directorate of Protocol at the Air Force Academy:

http://www.usafa.af.mil/ccp/flagfold.htm.

[DennisR]

I also thought it was somewhat suspicious, but found this link: Folding the Flag. But even better is this one, which the previous links references: Folding the Flag--US Air Force Website. I had absolutely no idea about this and have never heard anyone discuss it before. Wow. I am amazed.

[jackbill]

I've known how the 21 gun salute was determined (adding the individual digits of 1776),

How long have you known that? Seems that you're probably wrong. Check out:

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/salute.htm

One paragraph:

The 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered. Varying customs among the maritime powers led to confusion in saluting and return of salutes. Great Britain, the world's preeminent seapower in the 18th and 19th centuries, compelled weaker nations to salute first, and for a time monarchies received more guns than did republics. Eventually, by agreement, the international salute was established at 21 guns, although the United States did not agree on this procedure until August 1875.

[opinionator]

Why The American Flag Is Folded 13 Times?

Because America is the 'Great Satan!'

[BaBaStooey]

When I was a younger man the VFW gave a demonstration on flag etiquette at my grade school and they mentioned the 13 reasons you just stated. Great post, Thanks

[BaBaStooey]

The original Queen Anne Flag of the US Colonies was a red field. The 6 white stripes were added to break the field up. I guess there are 7 red stripes. The resulting Grand Union Flag was flown first by General Washington on 2 Jan 1776. It wasn't until Flag Day in 1777 that the 13 starred flag was created by an act of the Continental Congress.

There is no known reason why this was done, other than to create a different flag to fight under during the revolution.


Queen Anne Flag or Red Ensign


Grand Union Flag


Betsy Ross Flag

[tje]

Okay, the Air Force has a lot more credibility with me than someone's email. Thanks for the heads up.