1. The Flag of the United States
MGySgt Dalvin L. Bailey

2. This lesson discusses the history of the flag of the United States.

3. Lesson Objectives
Explain the significance of the stars, stripes, and colors of the United States Flag.
Identify the significant historical events in the history of the United States Flag.
Explain the significance on the key figures involved in the development of the United States Flag.

4. Key Words
______ – a flag flown on a ship to show what country the ship belongs to
________ – careful attention to a particular situation or problem
___________ – trying to do something and not giving up
Ensign
Vigilance
Perseverance

5. Key Words
__________ – deliberately damaging or insulting something that is considered sacred or very special
______ – to break or to do something which disobeys a law or rule
Desecration
Infringe

6. First Official Flag
In Philadelphia on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the flag of the United States, popularly called “Old Glory.”
There were originally 13 stars and stripes. 13 stands for ____________________.
There was no instruction on
how the stars should
be arranged.
the original 13 colonies

7. The Betsy Ross Flag Betsy Ross was a seamstress in Philadelphia.
She embroidered shirts for
George Washington, who
knew of her skill.
Because of this friendship,
the legend that Betsy Ross
created the first flag was
Started. However, historians are unsure

8. The Colonists’ First Flag
The first flag of the colonists to have any resemblance to the present Stars and Stripes was the Grand Union Flag.
Its design consisted of 13 stripes, alternately red and white.
In a field of blue in the upper left hand corner was the red cross of St. George of England and the white cross of St. Andrew of Scotland.

9. The Symbolism of the Colors of the Flag
The colors on the flag symbolize the following:
White is for
_____ and
_________.
Blue is for
________,
____________,
and
______ .
purity
vigilance
innocence
perseverance
Red is for
________ and
_____.
justice
hardness
valor

10. The Symbolism of the Colors of the Flag
The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states of the United States of America,
and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

11. The Flag Today
The flag of the U.S. today has 13 horizontal stripes – 7 red and 6 white – the red and white stripes alternating.
Robert G. Heft is the designer of America’s current national flag.
The flag that Heft designed has
flown over every state capital
building and over 88 U.S.
embassies.

12. Introduction
Always show the flag the utmost respect, whether you are in uniform or in civilian attire.
Even after the flag becomes old and worn, you should not use it for banners or in any disrespectful way.
If you do not preserve it, you should destroy it as a whole, privately, respectfully, and traditionally by _______.
Example:
burning

13. Rules for Displaying the U.S. Flag
When displaying the flag, you should always raise it ______ and lower it ____________.
briskly
ceremoniously
On Memorial Day, we display the flag at half-staff until noon and then raise it to the top of the staff.
When flying the flag at half-staff, first raise it to its peak, and then lower it to the half-staff position.
Example:

14. Folding the Flag Correctly
Example:

15. Folding the Flag Correctly
Step 1: For the first fold, bring the lower striped section of the flag up over the blue field.
Example:

16. Folding the Flag Correctly
Step 2: On the second fold, the “folded edge” over to meet the “open edge.”
Example:

17. Folding the Flag Correctly
Step 3: Start a triangular fold by bringing the lower striped corner to the “open edge.”
Example:

18. Folding the Flag Correctly
Step 4: Fold the outer point inward and parallel with the “open edge” to form a second triangle.
Example:

19. Folding the Flag Correctly
Step 5: Continue to fold the flag in triangles until the entire length of the flag is folded with only the blue field and the margin showing.
Example:

20. Folding the Flag Correctly
Step 6: Tuck the margin into the pocket formed by the folds at the blue field edge of the flag.
Example:

21. Folding the Flag Correctly
Step 7: When you have completely folded the flag, only the blue field should be visible, and it should have the triangular shape of a cocked hat.
Example:

22. Display of the U.S. Flag Alone
When displaying the flag flat against a wall, either horizontally or vertically, the union should be upper most and to the observer’s left.
Example:

23. Display of the U.S. Flag Alone
When using the flag over a casket, place it so the union is at the head and over the left shoulder.
Example:

24. Group Display
When displaying the flags of two or more nations or states, fly them from separate flag staffs of the same height. The flags should be of similar size.
Example:

25. Group Display
When carried in a procession with other flags, carry the national flag on the right of the row of marching persons.
Example:

26. Marine Corps Colors and Standards
The commandant issues to every major Marine unit a distinguishing flag that is carried beside the National Color.
These unit flags are called Marine Corps Colors (or Standards).
Example:

27. Marine Corps Colors and Standards
The Guidon is a small rectangular scarlet flag measuring 22 by 28 inches with the Corps badge in silhouette in the center in yellow.
Example:
Guidons are carried on all occasions of ceremony when a company or equivalent unit is represented by two or more platoons.

28. Marine Corps Colors and Standards
The Commandant of the Marine Corps has the only personal flag among the chiefs of the five armed forces that is not divided diagonally into two colors.
Example: