John “Mr. Klean” Cranshaw, a veteran and member of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, a group that rides in memory of the Buffalo Soldiers—African American military regiments that date back to the 1800s—shows us how to fold a flag.

5280 November 2014
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^ With another person, hold the flag waist-high and parallel to the ground.

^ Fold in half lengthwise, making sure the stripes are on top.

^ Fold in half lengthwise again.

^ Starting on the stripes-only end, fold one corner over to create a triangle. Fold the outer corner in 11 more times.

^ Tuck any remaining fabric between the layers of the triangle.

—Illustrations by Aaron Ashley