How To Store An American Flag

Want to know how to store an American flag? We hope you all enjoyed your memorial day!  If you're taking down decorations we're here to help.  Did you know there are formal ways to fold an American flag?

The Meaning of the American Flag

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum details the importance of the symbol of the flag:

"The American flag is one of the most important symbols of the United States.  For many, it symbolizes respect, honor, and freedom.  For others, the flag represents reflection, courage and sorrow.  The National Air and Space Museum cares for a number of American flags in the Smithsonian Institution’s national collection, many of which represent significant events in the history of space exploration or aeronautics. One belonged to Amelia Earhart.  One was flown aboard Gemini 4by NASA astronauts James McDivitt and Edward H. White in 1965.  And the Museum has several replicas of the flag that was left on the Moon during the Apollo 11lunar landing in 1969.  Although each flag has a story that is worth telling, the care and preservation of these unique objects is also noteworthy."

Respect for the flag is important, especially at formal ceremonies.  However, you can be respectful with your own flags at home by following these easy steps outlined by The American Legion.  Here is how to store an American flag:

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The traditional method of folding the flag is as follows:

(A)Straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once.

(B)Fold it lengthwise a second time to meet the open edge, making sure that the union of stars on the blue field remains outward in full view. (A large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time.)

(C)A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge.

(D)The outer point is then turned inward, parallel with the open edge, to form a second triangle.

(E)The diagonal or triangular folding is continued toward the blue union until the end is reached, with only the blue showing and the form being that of a cocked (three-corner) hat.

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The American Legion also explained the symbols of the folds:

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Meaning of Flag-Folding Program

The flag-folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded.

The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted only when draped as a pall on the casket of a veteran who has served our country honorably in uniform.

In the U.S. Armed Forces, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

Keylock Storage would like to thank all those who have served and continue to protect our country - thank you for your service!  We hope these tips helped you learn how to store an American flag.

Check out the Keylock Storage Blog for more interesting articles about organization and lifestyle: keylockstorage.com/blogs