06/12/2026
Flag day is June 14 th. Today we celebrated flag day at the Taney County Courthouse in Forsyth MO. One of the interesting parts was what each fold of the flag was.
The meaning of the folds
Beyond the mechanics, a cherished tradition assigns a meaning to each of the 13 folds. It is important to know that this interpretation is a ceremonial custom rather than a part of the official U.S. Flag Code, and different honor guards recite slightly different versions. Still, the recitation is deeply meaningful to the families who hear it, and it speaks to the values the flag represents.
In the most widely shared version, the folds honor, in turn:
Life,
The belief in eternal life,
The veteran being laid to rest, and those who gave their lives in service.
Our trust in something greater than ourselves in times of trouble.
A tribute to the country itself.
Where our hearts lie, as we pledge allegiance to the flag.
A tribute to the armed forces.
Those who have passed, and the mothers who hold them in memory.
Womanhood, and the faith and devotion that has shaped the nation's character.
Fathers, who have given their sons and daughters in defense of the country.
The lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, in the Jewish tradition.
Eternity, in the Christian tradition.
The final fold, with the stars facing upward, recalling the nation's motto, "In God We Trust"
