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Military Salute Project :: Reference Desk :: The Flag of the United States of America :: Military Funeral Flag Presentation Protocol Author Topic: Military Funeral Flag Presentation Protocol (Read 55,708 times) Moderator Administrator member is offline Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 255 Location: Woodbury, MN Military Funeral Flag Presentation Protocol « Thread Started on Apr 14, 2005, 9:16pm » MILITARY FUNERAL FLAG PRESENTATION PROTOCOL A United States flag drapes the casket of deceased Servicemembers and Veterans to honor their service to America. The flag is placed so that the blue field with stars is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. After Taps has been played, the flag is carefully folded into the symbolic tri-cornered shape. A properly proportioned flag will fold 13 times on the triangles, representing the 13 original colonies. The folded flag is emblematic of the tri-cornered hat worn by the Patriots of the American Revolution. When folded, no red or white stripe is to be evident, leaving only the blue field with stars. The folded flag is then presented as a keepsake to the next of kin or an appropriate family member. Each branch of the Armed Forces uses its own wording for the presentation ... U.S. Army ... This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service. U.S. Marine Corps ... On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and Corps. U.S. Navy ... On behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to this Country and a grateful Navy. U.S. Air Force ... On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, we offer this flag for the faithful and dedicated service of rank and name of deceased. U.S. Coast Guard ... On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and the Coast Guard. If the next of kin has expressed a religious preference or belief, add ... God bless you and this family, and God bless the United States of America. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This information is copied from Page 26 of the United States Flag Manual, a publication distributed by the Military Salute Project. Click the following link to view or download the complete manual ... http://militarysalute.proboards45.com/in....play&thread=737 « Last Edit: Jun 1, 2010, 9:29am by Moderator » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Forum Jump--------------------» Home--------------------» Reference Desk--------------------- The Flag of the United States of America- Military and Veterans Protocol- Military and Veterans Tributes- Roll Call of Minnesota's Fallen- Military and Veterans Memorials in Minnesota- National and State Cemeteries in Minnesota- The Library--------------------» About Us--------------------- History of the Military Salute Project- Legal and Contact information