Cleaning American Flag

[Higgins]

Well, the recent storms here in Ky were more than our sub pumps could handle

The basement was flooded and my dad’s American flag got wet. The case is trash. I’m thinking of using the dryer to dry it out. The flag is damp, not soaking wet.
I hope when it comes out of the dryer, it will not require to be iron
Anyone have an idea of what organization would be able to fold it for me?

AL

 

[finn]

Boy Scouts or American Legion, VFW, etc.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Fold it yourself, it's not that hard to do.

 

[drmarkr]

I would not put it in a dryer... I'd unfold it and carefully hang it to dry. And then properly fold it.

 

[Hohn]

I had several occasions as Detail Officer for a traveling honor guard that rendered military honors at veteran funerals. I led the honor guard detail and it was my honor to present the flag to the next of kin at several ceremonies.

Folding the flag correctly is easy in concept and very hard to do in practice. It doesn't help that many newer flags are of low quality and this makes it harder to do.

 

[mrb1]

I'd avoid the dryer. Call around some local dry cleaners. Some may clean her for free. If the house is going up in flames, this is what I'm grabbing first. Presented to dad at my late, USAF veteran, sister's service.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I had several occasions as Detail Officer for a traveling honor guard that rendered military honors at veteran funerals. I led the honor guard detail and it was my honor to present the flag to the next of kin at several ceremonies.

Folding the flag correctly is easy in concept and very hard to do in practice. It doesn't help that many newer flags are of low quality and this makes it harder to do.

That detail was the most rewarding, difficult, and emotional thing I ever did in my time in the Army. Never had to hand over the flag, not sure how some guys held it together doing that part for some of the funerals.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If it's cotton, which more than likely it is, hang it to dry. Use some zip ties to hang it by the grommets but keep it away from black iron pipe or similar.

Like mentioned, scouts or any of the Vet groups should be able to help. Possibly even your local FD or PD could help, there's a lot of veterans working there.

That detail was the most rewarding, difficult, and emotional thing I ever did in my time in the Army. Never had to hand over the flag, not sure how some guys held it together doing that part for some of the funerals.

We did a FD funeral about 18 months ago for one of the retired guys. Those of us that are veterans folded his flag. The Firefighter that presented the flag to his widow was one of my firefighters and more importantly, his Son in Law presenting to his Mother in Law. ....talk about hard.

 

[reader2580]

I'm sure there are many videos on Youtube about how to fold an American flag. I've never found that any particular flag is harder to fold than another. We may get better American flags in Minnesota since state law requires they be made in the USA. I would never intentionally purchase an American flag not made in the USA, and I have bought a few dozen of them for organizations I work with.

If the flag is designed for outdoor use then it can handle water. What I would probably do is get a big tub of soapy water and gently wash the flag in the water by hand. To rinse either use a hose, or a tub of clean water. I would hang the flag to drip dry.

 

[reader2580]

For future reference the American Legion sells American and state flags at americanlegionflags.com. My experience is the American flags are made in the USA, but I don't know about the state flags.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I hope when it comes out of the dryer, it will not require to be iron

If it's made of cotton, ironing should not be an issue. If it's a synthetic that may not be possible.

 

[Sumboodie]

What's a sub pump?

 

[jblnut]

My ignorant self figured everyone knew how to fold a flag. I went through the Boy Scouts program 20yrs ago and emerged as an Eagle Scout and continue to fly Old Glory every day I can here. It's been fun teaching the kids the proper way to fold The Flag and they can do it on their own now. It always makes smile when I see a properly folded flag.

I'd agree on how to clean it. Cool water with a light brushing should do fine. Even if it doesn't get perfectly clean I wouldn't discard it !! Hang it by the gromets or fly it and it'll dry out nicely.

 

[cgrutt]

I'd consider having it dry cleaned. You may be able to call whatever branch of military your dad was in to have it folded by active duty service member if you're uncomfortable or unable to fold it yourself. Or as others said any local vets org, police or fire department or boy scouts would fold it for you. I have my dad's flag and I understand what it must mean to you. I cried not to long ago at my brother's funeral as the Marines performed the honors. His flag was presented to his wife but she gave it to my nephew who was my brother's only child. Happy she did that. Good luck with it I hope it cleans up well. Some info from American Legion here.

How to Care for a Flag - American Legion Flag & Emblem

emblem.legion.org

 

[Hohn]

That detail was the most rewarding, difficult, and emotional thing I ever did in my time in the Army. Never had to hand over the flag, not sure how some guys held it together doing that part for some of the funerals.

Not gonna lie, it was brutal at times. I’ll never forget one particular time.

Usually we arrived graveside and could pop in and out.

But on one occasion, the cemetery was colocated with the funeral home where the memorial service (open casket) was being held. I was informed by the funeral director upon arrival that the grieving widow had asked to see me. (By title or responsibility, obviously we’re strangers.)

Next thing I know, I’m whisked into the room where our late veteran is lying in repose. I’m standing in front of the open casket with his widow squeezing my arm with all her elderly strength as she asks me through her tears if the accouterments on his uniform are correctly placed.

I managed to render assurances that apparently sufficed and extracted myself from the most emotionally difficult military duty I ever experienced.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Not gonna lie, it was brutal at times. I’ll be forget one particular time.

Usually we arrived graveside and could pop in and out.

But on one occasion, the cemetery was colocated with the funeral home where the memorial service (open casket) was being held. I was informed by the funeral director upon arrival that the grieving widow had asked to see me. (By title or responsibility, obviously we’re strangers.)

Next thing I know, I’m whisked into the room where our late veteran is lying in repose. I’m standing in front of the open casket with his widow squeezing my arm with all her elderly strength as she asks me through her tears if the accouterments on his uniform are correctly placed.

I managed to render assurances that apparently sufficed and extracted myself from the most emotionally difficult military duty I ever experienced.

The "happiest" one was when we did full bird female. She had been in WWII, Korea, and came back for a bit for Vietnam...was a nurse in all 3. That was a celebration of life!
The hard ones were the GWOT ones we did.....this was about 2007. A 19 year old kid from a small NH town whose little brother spoke, and the saddest was a kid from MA who only had 2 people show up....his Mother and someone else. Those were tough.....

 

[NUTTSGT]

The "happiest" one was when we did full bird female. She had been in WWII, Korea, and came back for a bit for Vietnam...was a nurse in all 3. That was a celebration of life!
The hard ones were the GWOT ones we did.....this was about 2007. A 19 year old kid from a small NH town whose little brother spoke, and the saddest was a kid from MA who only had 2 people show up....his Mother and someone else. Those were tough.....

For some reason, that sounds like a feisty woman that didn't take much ****, much like Margaret Houlihan.

 

[BOHICA8]

I understand that this may not cover cleaning of the US Flag, others may find the below information helpful.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the United States Postal Service, issues nearly half a million burial flags annually to families of deceased veterans. The United States Postal Service is proud to partner with the VA in providing burial flags for our veterans.

Applicants seeking a burial flag should:

• Visit https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-27-2008-ARE.pdf to fill out VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes
• Submit a completed VA Form 27-2008 and attach a copy of the veteran's DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty to your local Post Office™
• Applications can be submitted by family members or a funeral director acting on their behalf
• There is no time limit for requesting a flag
  

Additional information regarding burial flags can be found at: https://www.va.gov/

 

[MongoTA]

Fully agree with what has been said about you folding it yourself. Don't need to get it right the first time. You just need to get it right one time. It'll be a good learning experience and I'd say a bonding experience.

Most moving for me was my then 10-year old son playing taps at my Dad's funeral.

 

[Buckgnarly]

For some reason, that sounds like a feisty woman that didn't take much ****, much like Margaret Houlihan.

In her bio it said she was instrumental in the creating and implementing of MASH (the real ones!)....so yes, a very fitting comparison!

 

[Death Row Dave]

I did it all through grade and high school for my schools . Every was thinkin I was the nerd , but I was proud to raise her high every morning and fold her up and store her at the end of the day . Folding it by yourself is almost for going happen , it takes two to her nice and tight . Thank you for protecting and honor .

 

[Snapped-off]

What's a sub pump?

Most commonly they pump water around and pump **** overboard.

Could be the trim pump, drain pump, auxiliary drain pumps, main feed pumps, reactor coolant pumps, sanitary pump,

Subs have many pumps.

 

[Stuart in MN]

My ignorant self figured everyone knew how to fold a flag. I went through the Boy Scouts program 20yrs ago and emerged as an Eagle Scout and continue to fly Old Glory every day I can here. It's been fun teaching the kids the proper way to fold The Flag and they can do it on their own now. It always makes smile when I see a properly folded flag.

I still remember how it was taught in Boy Scouts, but is the same folding method used for a flag that's put into one of those triangular display cases?

 

[cgrutt]

I still remember how it was taught in Boy Scouts, but is the same folding method used for a flag that's put into one of those triangular display cases?

Yes

 

[jblnut]

I still remember how it was taught in Boy Scouts, but is the same folding method used for a flag that's put into one of those triangular display cases?

Exactly the same. When each scout in our area earns the rank of Eagle I still go in as part of the Eagle Council and refold the flag that is presented to the newest Eagle Scout. We send them to the White House and they get flown on a flag pole there and a picture comes back with the flag of that particular flag flying.

We got one scouts flag flown on the base his KIA father was stationed at in Iraq and everyone on base was in the picture in their formal uniforms. That was an emotional moment when it was presented. That beautiful flag and what it stands for is powerful stuff.

 

[reader2580]

The Boy Scout troop I was with had a flag flown over the US Capitol for each new Eagle Scout. We didn't have to send a flag. The American flag was included as part of the service. I have always pictured some guy raising and lowering flags all day long at the US Capitol.