PRELUDE: "No flag ever devised by man has so clearly expressed the ideals of true democracy in its design... It has been literally the guiding star of our pioneers, explorers, humanitarians and soldiers. It has interwoven its threads into the texture of every chapter of our national romance. No adult or child can comprehend the majesty of the history of the United States who is ignorant of the story of Old Glory."¹

NOTE: Honor Guard should unravel and fold the flag into quarter fold while this is being read.

"A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation's flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself. And whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, one reads chiefly in the flag, the government, the principles, the truths, the history that belongs to the nation that sets it forth. The American flag has been a symbol of liberty, and men rejoice in it."²

First fold: The first fold represents our country, our unity as a nation. "This flag which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours."³

Second Fold: The second fold reminds us that our flag "floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute these choices, whether in peace or in war. And though silent, it speaks to us. It speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us and of the records they wrote upon it."⁴

Third Fold: The third fold speaks of patriotism which "...should be taught at the mother's knee when the innocent lips are taught to lisp..."⁵ "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America..."⁶ Teach them to love the word 'country'. Teach them that the nobler act of a noble life is to die, if need be, in its defense. Then insist that the lesson at the school be befitting the children of American citizens. Let the American flag be constantly in sight -- in the home, in the street, in the school..."⁷

Fourth Fold: The fourth fold equates to the four branches of the Armed Service. It honors those who have best embraced the ideal "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong."⁸

Fifth Fold: The fifth fold is for the young corporals and sage sergeants; for captains and majors; for pastors and rabbis and priests; for the buck privates who without benefit of grenades, trench mortars, or tanks, plunged into machine-gun thickets to fight the War to end War. They found themselves adrift in a blind world of whiteness, mustard gas and noise, groping over something like the surface of the moon, with nothing to guide them but the flag of our country.

Sixth Fold: The sixth fold reminds us of the six battle-weary fighters who vigilantly struggled to the top of Mount Suribache on Iwo Jima during World War II. Once there, they proudly raised above the battle, our flag, the symbol "that we all hold dear"⁹, the symbol of "...freedom, democracy, government of the people, by the people, and for the people... It is our duty to defend the flag which stands for them all."¹⁰

Seventh Fold: The seventh fold shows the number of red stripes found on our flag. Red, the color of our blood, signifies the hardiness and valor shown throughout our history when young men and women have been called upon to defend our country. That red reminds us all the "real foundation of our liberty is solidified by the warm blood of all who died for the ideas of our great nation."

Eighth Fold: The eighth fold stands for the white in our flag. It signifies the purity and innocence of our children and calls upon us all to ensure our highest beliefs of liberty, honor, and country are carried forward from generation to generation.

Ninth Fold: This ninth fold commemorates "the blue in our union which stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice." The blue reminds us that our country is a new constellation among governments, one founded on the highest of moral principles.

Tenth Fold: The tenth fold shows that our flag takes on a higher meaning when looked upon as a whole rather than as an assortment of colors and symbols. For "we took the stars from heaven; the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes..."¹¹ to show we have separated from her; those "white stripes shall go down in posterity, representing liberty."¹² For what other flag "has carried the message of freedom to so many parts of the world?"¹³

Eleventh Fold: The eleventh fold signifies our dedication to the spirit of liberty--the spirit our great country was built upon. "Where can you find another country where liberty stands bright and pleasant at the door saying: ‘If you believe in me, come and be one of us’?"¹⁴ And even today, they come. Immigrants in rags and silks. But always, "liberty comes in their hearts--those bold hardy ones from every land who dare choose freedom. Those who believe: 'Where liberty is, there is my home.'"¹⁵

Twelfth Fold: The twelfth fold is for our fallen comrades; those deceased, prisoner of war, and missing in action; it is in recognition of their sacrifice. For them, we "raise it solemnly again, salute it reverently as never before, live for it, die for it!"¹⁶ For even after death, they send their spirit back...for it. This fold is for our past.....Lest we forget.

Tuck: As we tuck the last fold into the flag, we are reminded of Chief Master Sergeant ________, who has served a long and honorable career. This fold is for you, for your conscientious and faithful dedication to duty and country -- for the more than ___ devoted years spent in the defense of our nation and the principles for which we and our flag stands.

NOTE: The Honor Guard presents the flag to the retiree while these words are spoken.