We the People: Boy Scout troop teaches proper American flag folding technique

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) -Boy Scout Troop 147 in Mobile County begins each weekly meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, as they honor the flag.

The scouts have mastered many skills along the way, including the proper technique for folding the American flag into a triangle shape.

“We do this as a way of showing respect to first of all to those who came before us,” said Nicholas McPherson, senior patrol leader for Boy Scout Troop 147.

The folding process starts from the striped end of the flag. While two people can complete the task, three people work best for the procedure.

The flag receives 13 triangular folds, representing the 13 original colonies and the fight for independence.

“Making sure it doesn’t fall on the ground is very important because one of the main rules with the flag is to make sure it doesn’t touch the ground. If it touches the ground it shows you don’t really respect America,” said Gaillard Passmore, assistant senior patrol leader for Boy Scout Troop 147.

Scoutmaster Andrew Passmore said the flag folding technique teaches scouts about sacrifice for country and freedom.

“Learning how to treat the flag is kind of like learning how to respect our veterans that have served our country because it represents each of them. The red, the white, the blue — the stars all stand for something that is why we are here as a country,” Passmore said.

The goal is to have the blue field with stars visible on the outside when folding is complete.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Gaillard Passmore said the technique becomes easier with practice.

“It’s a little difficult at first but the more you do it the easier it gets and it took me maybe three tries to get the hang of it. And I feel like anybody at home you practice it a little — you can do it for sure,” he said.

The final triangular shape represents the tricorn hats Continental soldiers wore during the Revolutionary War. The folded flag is then ready for storage until it is proudly displayed again.