Meaning of Flag Draped Coffin

I was sent an email today about this and I’ll admit I had no idea. I thought others might like to understand the reasoning behind this too. This has special meaning to me since this was done for my sister when she passed.

The images of the folds did not show up so if you would like to see them I can forward the email to you. Just shoot me a pm with your email address.

Chris

All Americans should be given this lesson. Those who think that America is an arrogant nation should really reconsider that thought. Our founding fathers used GOD’s word and teachings to establish our Great Nation and I think it’s high time Americans get re-educated about this Nation’s history. Pass it along and be proud of the country we live in and even more proud of those who serve to protect our “GOD GIVEN” rights and freedoms.

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I hope you take the time to read this….. To understand what the flag draped coffin really means….. Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers.

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

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The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine g uidance

The 5th fold is a tribute to the 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 6th fold is for where people’s hearts lie. It is with their heart that They pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.

The 8th 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.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the char acter of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and ! glorifi es, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nations motto, “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you’ll see flags folded and now you will know why.

Share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to, the symbol of “! Liberty and Freedom.”

Thank you for sharing this with us!
I think a wake up call like this is needed for all people that call ourselves AMERICANS!!!!
GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Good read. Inaccurate, but nevertheless it was a good read.

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Good read. Inaccurate, but nevertheless it was a good read.

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Don’t make a statement like that without saying why!

Well put. Thanks for defining that.

“Too many have never learned to fight for their freedom. They are only good at enjoying it.”
Less than 1% of this country serves any time in the U.S. Military, that is taking advantage of your country and it may be it’s downfall. God Bless our men and women in all services.

Thanks HOF!!!!
I was wondering where the inacurracy comes in..
Cause I know for a fact that for future West Point Cadets you need to know all of this information along with other parts to the answers.
Such as the sum of 1776 is the truth behind the 21 gun salute and it was chosen because it was the day our Fore Fathers got together on that special day in that year to sign that very important document of history..

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Don’t make a statement like that without saying why!

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Fair enough.

There is no law that states anything about the meaning of the 13 folds. And the 21 gun salute is something that just came to be through history. It has nothing to do with math.

The man is correct…

snopes results

Thanks BK!

I Checked Snopes, you can read it Here

Basically says there is not true meaning to the folds, but meaning has been placed on it over the years by individuals.

Interesting read anyways.

Captain Brian beat me to it

Brian scopes claims that it is false that there is no meanings to the flags folds yet in the Flag etiquette,you can select meanings of folds of the flag Same page via Scopes and this is what I found,
Symbols for the folds of the Flag
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks and who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; for 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.”

Now being military myself and taking numourous tests in the military we were always taught alot of the above mentioned information including that the 1776=21 which is where the 21 gun salute came from, which was also the year of the signing of the Declaration Of Independence..

Ok not set in stone and not set by law just what we were taught…

You didn’t go far enough in your research. If you will click on the “ceremony” you will see that what Chris posted is true. I don’t know why you would want it not to be. It’s a beautiful ceremony for anyone that served their country.

check this site out. Sounds good to me. I beieve it.

flag meaning

(Edit) I must have been typing as others were posting. like I said before “I believe it.” So what if the meanings were attached to it over time.

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You didn’t go far enough in your research. If you will click on the “ceremony” you will see that what Chris posted is true. I don’t know why you would want it not to be. It’s a beautiful ceremony for anyone that served their country.

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It’s the 1776 part that I was mostly referring as being inaccurate. Like I said, it was a good read.

theduck~
Thank you…

Then why do they have that question on the test for West Point Cadets?

How did they come up with the 21 gun salute?

Answer: It comes from the adding of the numbers 1776,which was the year of the signing of the Declaration Of Independence!

Now I am not trying to argue here but am telling you what I was told taught during my ten years in the military. I was also told by my Commander that during his duration at West Point a Cadet lost his position in West Point because of not knowing the correct answer to how they came up with the 21 gun salute…

Now I know we were lied to and had head games played with us alot and that is all part of making our minds stronger. But I have seen this question laid out on military tests and this is the true and correct answer..

According to Snopes once again I stand corrected,the mind games still haunt me..

MORE FLAG INFO BETSY ROSS FLAG RULES

I appreciate the disscussion….I never knew nor thought about the folding of the flag and the meaning..kinda took it for granted I guess…Thanks

Some also feel that when guns are fired at a funeral that it is a 21 guns salute. This is incorrect as well.

For those of us that have actually served on a funeral detail it is a 3 volley salute. Anywhere from 3 to 7 guns can be used. Now if the line actually had 7 guns there would be 21 shots but that is only a coincidence.

just my .02 cents.

Great read Cris.

This is what I found on the 21 gun salute.

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/salute.htm

Interesting. I have always seen 7 in a line… 3 shots of course, = 21. Taps is what gets to me…. when the horn off in the distance is wailing….

big g

big G~
Your telling me,
TAPS just sends chills down my back and instant tears in the eyes..
I have attended many military funerals and a couple with flying formations which is another that can send chills down tha back but nothing like TAPS can..

I would agree Taps does it for me as well.

Sorry

For those doubting Thomases, its called TRADITION. The military is steeped in traditions, each branch has MANY, some are so time honored they become commonplace. This country has lost a great many traditions, lets hope the military can keep theirs.

Amen to that.

big g