A Final Salute
A
merican military
members are given a
fi nal salute with a beauti-
ful fl ag ceremony during
their funeral. A somber but
meaningful tradition, it is
our military’s way of thank-
ing its members for their
dedicated service.
Military honors are re-
served for military mem-
bers who died while on
active duty or while in the
Selected Reserve. Also,
veterans who were hon-
orably discharged who
completed at least one term
of their enlistment or term
of obligated service in the
Reserves are also eligible to
receive these honors.
Learn the fl ag’s role and
other key components to a military
funeral.
The Flag’s Role
At the service, there will be an
American fl ag draped over the cof-
fi n of the deceased serviceman or
woman. With the family’s approv-
al, the fl ag may be pulled away to
allow for an open-casket funeral.
The fl ag should also be treated with
utmost respect during this honor-
able funeral. This means fl owers
or pictures should never be placed
on top of the fl ag. There are cres-
cent-shaped arrangements available
for resting on a coffi n and avoiding
contact with the fl ag.
How to Know When it’s Time
The U.S. Flag code says a fl ag
should be destroyed when it is torn
and tattered beyond repair. You also
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The placement of the fl ag is also
important. It should be placed so
the blue fi eld with stars is at the
head and over the left shoulder of
the deceased.
Flag-Folding Ceremony
Following the traditional 21-gun
salute and the somber performance
of Taps, the funeral concludes with
a fl ag-folding ceremony.
Folding of the fl ag consists of 12
folds, each one represents a differ-
ent aspect of America, God and oth-
er factors that our country depends
on. Here are the steps to properly
fold a fl ag as reported by The Amer-
ican Legion:
Step 1: Straighten out the fl ag to full
length and fold lengthwise once.
Step 2: Fold it lengthwise a second
time to meet the open edge.
Step 3: A triangular fold is then
started by bringing the striped cor-
ner of the folded edge to the open
edge.
Step 4: The outer point is then
turned inward, to form a second
triangle.
Step 5: 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 three-corner hat.
Once the fl ag has been folded, it
is then given to a member of the
deceased’s family. It is used to rep-
resent an expression of gratitude for
the sacrifi ce they have made.
Disposing of a Flag
When your American fl ag has
served you well but is worn out and
no longer a fi tting emblem for dis-
play, the U.S. Flag code states that
it should be destroyed in a dignifi ed
way, preferably by burning. Flags
should never be repurposed for
clothing or craft projects.
You might wish to burn your fl ag
in a private ceremony so it is not
misconstrued as a derogatory action
toward America.
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should look for other signs of wear,
such as fading or soiled spots.
Once you have determined your
fl ag is due to be respectfully
burned, be sure you have a new one
available as a replacement.
How to Dispose of a Flag
There is a specifi c process you
must follow to properly retire a
fl ag. Depending on whether you are
performing the ceremony in your
backyard or an event in your com-
munity, here are the minimum steps
that should be included, as stated by
the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
• The fi rst step of respectful fl ag
burning is to fold the fl ag in the
customary manner. This involves
the traditional 12 folds that repre-
sent different American customs
and values.
• You should then build a large fi re
that is of proper intensity to ensure
complete burning of the fl ag.
• Once the fi re is suffi cient, safely
place your fl ag in the fl ames.
• Now, the attendees of the ceremo-
ny should come to attention, salute
the fl ag and say the Pledge of Alle-
giance. Have a brief period of silent
refl ection.
• Once the fl ag is entirely con-
sumed, the fi re should then be
safely extinguished and the ashes
buried.
Some organizations who perform
fl ag-burning ceremonies may have
additional traditions they prefer to
follow. Out of respect and to learn
something new, follow along with
the unique steps provided by these
groups.
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