Hi folks. My father passed away on Sept. 19, 2007. It was a sad day for our whole family as you could imagine. My father retired in '85 after serving 30 years in the military beginning in the Navy, then on to the Air Force and finished up in the Army Reserve. He was buried with full military honors. After the ceremony, the soldiers folded the flag and presented it to my mom.

My question is this: After they folded the flag, it was folded in such a way where there was only the field of blue and stars showing. I went out and bought a flag display case and thought it would look better with some of the red and white stripes showing so I folded it a little differently. Is this improper? Should I return it to the way it was? I do not want to disrespect it in any way so any input would be greatly appreciated.

Here's a couple of pics to show it re-folded. BTW, the shell in front is one of the empties from the twenty-one gun salute.

 

Folding it so you only see the field of stars is the proper way to fold a flag, but there's nothing wrong with how you've folded the flag - it is not improper.

 

Ah I used to have to do these things with the Boy Scouts, but that was so long ago. If you fold the flag lengthwise twice and fold it in a triangle shape then you did it right. I don't know if a certain part of the flag is supposed to be seen.

Sorry about your father.

 

I'm sorry for your loss. Your father sounds like a pretty great man to have spent his life dedicated to preserving his country's way of life. I'm sure you're very proud of him.

I don't know the etiquette, but I like what you've done there with the shell and the flag. I think it's a nice memorial!

 

USFlag <- I found this place. I echo the previous sentiments.

 

^ Good site!

Wow it's amazing the amount of power so many of these patriotic statements, ceremonies, monuments and memorials have. I was born up here in Canada, but both my folks are American and I spent my life making multiple trips down each year. To compare the level of US to Canadian patriotism is incredible, and it makes me proud to have US blood in me. I love being a US citizen and I love the US!

I know I know, off topic, but reading that flag folding speech on that site got me a little choked up.

 

+1

 

I wanted to do the same thing for my grandpas flag, and I bought this question up to an old timer who's ex-military at my church, and he was pretty damn firm with me on how to fold the flag and I mean firm, he said field of blue and stars should be the only thing you see. He got all excited and even raised his voice a little

I think you should find someone who's military, and ask them to show you how to do it. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to assist

I'll post a pic of the end result when I get home from work

 

you are displaying it correctly just folding it backwards. All stars is the way you want it

 

"Traditionally" you will ONLY see the blue and white stars when presented in a Shadow box.

I've been in the Navy for 20 years and have also had the priveledge of being on the "Honor Guard". The flag is folded during the ceremony and presented to the next of Kin with every effort to NOT show any red. RED is not to be shown on the final fold of the flag EVER.

Red can be displayed when the flag is displayed but when folded it should never show red.

You should have NEVER unfolded a ceremonial flag after it was folded for you. This flag is the one that was flown during TAPS and is the one that hauled down and folded for you.

Ultimately it's YOUR display case and you can do what you will. Guarantee that if another veteran sees your shadow box, it's the FIRST thing they will notice. I would recommend you fold it back.

Sorry for your loss. It takes a great man to do what he did and for so long.

Tim