#Ritual October 11

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On Friday I got to witness a powerful military RITUAL.

Often a RITUAL is called a ceremony and what I witnessed last week was in fact a funeral honors ceremony. What makes this RITUAL so meaningful is U.S. law mandates the rendering of military funeral honors for an eligible veteran. The service is provided at no cost by the Department of Defense. My friend who passed away served six years in the US Marines.

Central to military funeral honors is the US Flag. It is often draped over the coffin or in this case walked down the aisle of the church. is a bugle call during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. In both scenarios Taps are played and at the conclusion the US Flag has to be folded in a tight triangle and presented to the family.

On Friday this RITUAL was treated with great reverence. Silence was powerful and many included me were wiping away tears.

Folding the US Flag

Folding the US Flag is done in a precise manner and might be a close cousin to tying a knot. When it is completed at a military funeral ceremony it is a RITUAL that generates emotion. This ceremony requires a specific size flag 5′ by 9.5′ often called a casket flag.

Some origins of how to fold the US Flag trace back to the Gold Star Mothers of America or the United States Air Force Academy.

Here is a video that shows how two Marines folded the flag on Friday.

The RITUAL on Friday reminded me on how important traditions are.