I 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 9401 

To amend title 4, United States Code, to ensure that a funeral honors 

detail recites the 13 Folds of Honor when presenting a flag of the 

United States in connection with the death of a member of the Armed 

Forces or veteran. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

AUGUST 23, 2024 

Mr. DIAZ-BALART (for himself and Mr. RUTHERFORD) introduced the 

following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

A BILL 

To amend title 4, United States Code, to ensure that a 

funeral honors detail recites the 13 Folds of Honor when 

presenting a flag of the United States in connection 

with the death of a member of the Armed Forces or 

veteran. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. RECITATION OF 13 FOLDS OF HONOR. 

4 (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con5 gress that this Act be dedicated to the 13 members of the 

6 Armed Forces who were killed at Hamid Karzai Inter7 national Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021. 


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1 (b) REQUIREMENT.—Chapter 1 of title 4, United 

2 States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol3 lowing new section (and conforming the table of sections 

4 for such chapter accordingly): 

5 ‘‘§ 11. Recitation of 13 Folds of Honor 

6 ‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—Except as provided by sub7 section (b), a funeral honors detail that presents a folded 

8 flag of the United States in connection with the death of 

9 a member of the Armed Forces or veteran under section 

10 1491 of title 10, section 2301 of title 38, or other applica11 ble provision of law, shall recite the following (to be known 

12 as the ‘13 Folds of Honor’) as part of such presentment: 

13 ‘‘The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life. 

14 ‘‘The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life. 

15 ‘‘The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of 

16 the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of 

17 their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace 

18 throughout the world. 

19 ‘‘The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as 

20 American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn 

21 in times of peace as well as in the time of war for His 

22 divine guidance. 

23 ‘‘The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the 

24 words of Stephen Decatur, ‘Our Country, in dealing with 


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1 other countries, may she always be right; but it is still 

2 our country, right or wrong.’ 

3 ‘‘The 6th fold is for where people’s hearts lie. It is 

4 with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of 

5 the United States of America, and the Republic for which 

6 it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty 

7 and Justice for all. 

8 ‘‘The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for 

9 it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their 

10 country and their flag against all her enemies, whether 

11 they be found within or without the boundaries of their 

12 republic. 

13 ‘‘The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered 

14 the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the 

15 light of day. 

16 ‘‘The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood and Moth17 ers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty, 

18 and devotion that the character of the men and women 

19 who have made this country great has been molded. 

20 ‘‘The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, 

21 has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their 

22 country since they were first born. 

23 ‘‘The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the 

24 seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the 

25 Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 


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1 ‘‘The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and 

2 glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son 

3 and Holy Spirit. 

4 ‘‘The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, 

5 the stars are uppermost reminding them of their Nation’s 

6 motto, ‘In God We Trust.’. 

7 ‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—The next of kin or other agent of 

8 a deceased member of the Armed Forces or veteran may 

9 elect to not have the 13 Folds of Honor recited under sub10 section (a).’’. 

Æ 


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