American Legion trains custodians at Fresno Unified Elementary schools proper way to fold American flag

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- At the end of every school day, U.S. and California flags are lowered on campuses all over.

Custodians at Webster and other Fresno Unified Elementary schools are learning the proper way of folding the American flag.

"The reason we're doing that is because we don't want any red to show at the end," said Manuel Hernandez.

The honor guard from American Legion Post 509 is spearheading this project. The district received complaints about how the flag was being taken down and folded--or not folded in this case.

"What happens is since there's just one person it's bulky. They'll wrap it up, take it inside and they fold it indoors. The public sees that," said Hernandez.

The Honor Guard is volunteering to teach the correct way of folding and putting away the U.S. flag at all 65 elementary schools in Fresno Unified--some changes will need to be made the schools.

"You need the minimum of two people to bring down the flag."

Three employees at Vinland Elementary were quick learners of the flag-folding technique.

"It's just something we know is important and we have a lot of people who are in the military and veterans, family as well as staff, and they will really appreciate seeing we are handling the flag with the proper care," said Vinland Principal Jeanarta Coe.

For veterans like Hernandez, this is a very personal project.

"It's very important. We bury our war dead with our flag. It's just our emotional makeup," said

He hopes the patriotic trend catches on.

"Personally I would like to see it go national," said Hernandez.