Presentation of the Flag

The Presentation of the Flag is a traditional practice of the rites of military funerals in the United States and several other countries.

Origin

The flag which is to be presented is draped over the casket of the soldier or sailor being laid to rest, a practice dating back to the Napoleonic Wars when the dead were carried off the battlefield in flags. It is not exactly certain when the practice of presenting the flag came about but is believed to have regularly begun in the early 20th century.cite web
last = Military District of Washington
title = Military Funeral Customs
publisher = Arlington National Cemetery
date = 2003-05-24
url =http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/customs.htm
accessdate = 2007-08-09 ]

The rite

Before the casket is buried, the pall bearers perform the ritualistic folding of the flag, a solemn procedure which involves precise and crisp movements to fold the flag into the standard triangular fold for safe keeping. Once the fold is complete, the flag bearer hands the flag usually to the military chaplain. Not wavering from ritual, the chaplain walks to the service member's next-of-kin, and presents the folded flag to this person, usually accompanying the action with words of condolence. The chaplain then performs a facing movement and returns to his position in the funeral. The ritual is done. cite book
title = U.S. Army Chaplain's Manual
publisher = United States Army
date = 1991 ]

In paramilitary and other organizations

The same ritual or variations of it can also be seen performed at funerals for police officers and firefighters. Fact|date=August 2007

ee also

*Arlington National Cemetery

Notes