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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – With mountains in the distance, the sound of fighter jets pierce the evening sky as a six-man carry team carefully marches in-step toward the rear of a military cargo plane.
Simultaneously hundreds of service members from various nations stand at attention, rendering a crisp salute as their fellow service members carry the flag-draped transfer case of a fallen comrade – a farewell known as a ramp ceremony.
The American flag, neatly fastened to the transfer case, will escort the remains back to American soil - first to Dover Air Force Base, Del., and then on the journey to a final resting place.
In a tradition dating back to the days of the Civil War, American flags have been part of the ceremony honoring the fallen. During a time where battlefield caskets were not available, the flag was wrapped around the dead soldier’s body creating a pall – a burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped and then buried.
With military precision, the American flag will be folded 13 times before being presented to the deceased’s next-of-kin. Although there are no federal laws related to the flag that assign specific significance to each fold, anonymous authors have circulated various meanings. When requested by the next-of-kin the symbolic references have been read during the folding of the flag at burial or inurnment services.
The American Legion, a congressionally charted multi-aid veteran’s organization charted and incorporated by Congress in 1919, shares the following explanation on their website.
“The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
“The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
“The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
“The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.
“The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, ‘Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.’
“The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
“The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
“The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
“The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
“The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.
“The eleventh fold, 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.
“The twelfth fold, 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.
“When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, ‘In God We Trust.’”
Once the final fold has been made, the flag’s remaining fabric is tucked in, giving the appearance of a cocked hat symbolic of the those worn by soldiers serving under Gen. George Washington, and the sailors and Marines who served under Navy Capt. John Paul Jones, who by many is considered a founder the U.S. Navy.
In the process of transporting the remains, if the flag at any time becomes tattered, stained, faded, torn or defaced it must be retired, because it is no longer a fitting emblem for display. Although the U.S. Flag Code doesn’t expressly say how it should be destroyed, it notes it should be in a dignified way, preferably by being burned.
While the American flag symbolizes many things, for me it represents honor, courage and commitment – our country’s freedom and dignity. It has accompanied service members into the heat of battle and has lined the streets of villages and big cities to welcome home our warriors.
When I was a nineteen-year-old college student serving in the Ohio Army National Guard, my grandfather Leonard H. Robinson, a Navy veteran of World War II, passed away in his sleep. Dressed in my Army dress uniform, I helped carry his flag-draped casket with my cousins and members of a military honor guard.
The neatly folded American flag that was presented to my grandmother, and shortly after given to me, is proudly displayed in my home as constant reminder of service to a cause bigger than my own.
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Online: http://www.legion.org/flag/folding
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.16.2011 08:29 |
| Story ID: | 68845 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 362 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 50 Stars and 13 Stripes, a Symbol of Honor, by LTJG Haraz Ghanbari, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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