Flag Framing

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Shayla

Shayla

WOW Framer
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Apr 5, 2008
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Washington State
I haven't framed a flag before and have some questions.

Our customer's flag was folded up and given to her at her dad's
funeral. He was a veteran of the Korean war. The size is enough
different from the flag box sizes in Inline Ovals catalogue that
I'm not sure if it's a bigger flag, or if they just folded it a bit off.
Plus, I'm not keen on cramming a flag into a little box that has
wood smashed against the sides and glass pressing on its front.

Have tried doing an archive search for flags and didn't find much
in the time I have. She never wants to unfold it again, so it's in
this triangular shape for the duration. How have you framed such
flags, and if they weren't in a tight box, how did you hold them
on the backing?
 
Definitely try Sparta Craft, I heard of them from a tip on the Grumble and they are super helpful. The website is spartacraft.com, but I would go ahead and call them, their customer service is great. However, their glass (as far as I know) is not conservation and you might have to line the frame with frame sealing tape to try to protect the flag
 
Just a bit of information to pass on. Once a flag is folded at a funeral, it should not be unfolded or flown.
 
Hey Shayla

Just finished this flag display this morning. I typically recess the folded flag into a triangular opening about 1" larger than the flag. This reduces some of the visual "thickness" of the flag, gives the flag the appearance of floating and allows the mat with other items to come forward a bit. I do unfold the final layer(s) of the flag and use very thin wire to attach through the back mat at several strategic points. Then refold and tuck the loose end back in. This holds the weight of the flag sufficiently. I then added the other elements of the design. This was a flag was draped over the father's coffin at funeral. The rifle shells were from the gun salute at the cemetery. It's all mounted in a 4" deep walnut frame with suede mats and liners.
 

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FrameMakers said:
Just a bit of information to pass on. Once a flag is folded at a funeral, it should not be unfolded or flown.
Click to expand...

Dave, I'm not aware of this as a part of the flag code and have first hand seen instances where those in the know would unfold a flag to refold it in the event of a burial. When one comes in here all screwy we refer them to a local VFW where those gents are more than willing to refold the flag as is required. Should they not be doing this, or is that one of those urban legends related to the topic? I'm hoping someone on here knows for sure - I would assume the VFW knows. In fact, with a quick search here is an article on their site indicating a time when they did this with an 80 year old flag. http://heroes.vfw.org/site/PageNavigator/Grassroots/Grassroots_WWI_flag
 
I'm curious about this, too. When I suggested that we could see if it was okay
for men from our VFW to refold it, she said she never wants it unfolded.
I'd still like to know, as proper protocol is important.
 
Once a flag has been folded and presented after the taps, it is up to the person to whom the flag was presented to determine its use, as long as that use is respectful and follows the flag code. If they want to display it unfurled or think it's an honor for their diseased have it flown, that is just as appropriate as well. There is nothing in the code that addresses what is proper once the flag has been presented, other than its proper disposal when it's retired. A flag is not considered truly retired until it is respectfully destroyed according to the code, so until then, it is up to the family to decide what is respectful.

In this case, your customer does not want it unfolded. It is up to you to honor her request no matter what the demands of framing it entails. If a design requires you to unfold a layer for attachment, then a design reconsideration is necessary.
 
Shalya, is there any way to slip in a triangular piece of 4 ply matboard into the folded flag? I've framed a few folded flags, though none from a funeral, and I've cut a 4 ply mat slightly smaller than the flag and inserted close to the back. This helps support the flag and then I use a combination of Attach-ez tags and hand stitches to attach the flag to the background mat.

A couple years ago, I framed a Canadian flag that had flown on the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. It was a large one (7.5'x 15'), so when folded, it was quite thick and heavy. For this one, I had the bottom of the folded flag rest on bottom ledge of the lined mat opening to help support the weight - it wasn't floated in the mat opening.
 
hangupsgallery said:
Hey Shayla

Just finished this flag display this morning. I typically recess the folded flag into a triangular opening about 1" larger than the flag. This reduces some of the visual "thickness" of the flag, gives the flag the appearance of floating and allows the mat with other items to come forward a bit. I do unfold the final layer(s) of the flag and use very thin wire to attach through the back mat at several strategic points. Then refold and tuck the loose end back in. This holds the weight of the flag sufficiently. I then added the other elements of the design. This was a flag was draped over the father's coffin at funeral. The rifle shells were from the gun salute at the cemetery. It's all mounted in a 4" deep walnut frame with suede mats and liners.
Click to expand...

Doing something like this may be your best bet, given that the customer does not want it refolded.

SpartaCraft does have some great flag displays for future jobs. Their phone number is -1-800-282-8044 jason.whisnant@spartacraft.com Jason is great to work with and he will take good care of you.
 
There is no true protocal for unfolding a flag once it has been folded. I have had to refold many flags when they come in. Of course you always have to ask permission from the customer first. If they say no, then it gets framed as is.

Another thing to consider is that at some funerals there are only 2 military members to fold the flag and they don't always do a good job, due to weather or outside circumstances.

As with any cotton, once it has gotten wet, such as rain or snow, it will have to be air dried. We do this by unfolding and and hanging from the wall in a hanger we have made.

When we did funerals while stationed at Ft Campbell, I used to have my guys place 3 polished rounds in a white handkerchief. I would then place these in the flag once it was folded. While at Ft Richardson we would just place 3 rounds in the flag. As long as you return these to the folded flag there is no harm done.
 
I will yield to Army Framer. All I know is what I was told by buy a full bird Col that was at my BIL's funeral.
 
We make a holder for a flag which is custom and we can make it fit your slightly off size flag. We also make a custom acrylic triangle for a flag. Please contact me and I will send pictures. Email address: acrylicbylois@gmail.com
 
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