Flag Etiquette

[KSUFLY]

Outside my apartment complex are two flag poles; one for the American flag and one for the Texas flag. The apartment complex keeps tying balloons onto the American flag pole. It drove me nuts the entire time I've been here to see that and especially once the flags went to half staff the damn balloons were still on the pole and now at the same level as the flag. I finally moved the balloons to a light pole. Unfortunately, the light pole was underneath a palm tree and all the balloons popped. So the next day, there they are, new balloons on the flag pole. So I moved them again. Am I wrong? Isn't there some flag etiquette about not having balloons on flag poles? What's your thought???

 

[wink]

Outside my apartment complex are two flag poles; one for the American flag and one for the Texas flag. The apartment complex keeps tying balloons onto the American flag pole. It drove me nuts the entire time I've been here to see that and especially once the flags went to half staff the damn balloons were still on the pole and now at the same level as the flag. I finally moved the balloons to a light pole. Unfortunately, the light pole was underneath a palm tree and all the balloons popped. So the next day, there they are, new balloons on the flag pole. So I moved them again. Am I wrong? Isn't there some flag etiquette about not having balloons on flag poles? What's your thought???

Not wrong. Keep up the fight. Did you suggest putting them on the Texas flag? I always think of a circus atmosphere when I think of Texas. You know clowns, freak shows, etc. Should be appropriate.

 

[Schnugg]

I would say thank you under my breath to the apartment complex manager for providing me with pellet rifle targets....and snipe them out.

 

[KSUFLY]

I spoke with the office manager a little while ago and explained it to her. She said that she had noticed the balloons were moved and thought that one of her workers moved them because she told them a couple days ago to move them. She politely thanked me and I was on my way. Hopefully, when the flags go back up on the 26th they ballons stay off!!! Thanks for your comments.

 

[JZAB]

Also since the flags are at half-staff shouldn’t all flags American, state, act be at half-staff. Their is a building by my house with just the American flag at half-staff, the state and county flag are still at full-staff. I thought the American flag was always to be the highest flown flag, meaning all other flags are to be slightly lower than it when flown in a group. Hence they should be slightly below half-staff. Can anybody confirm?

 

[KSUFLY]

Also since the flags are at half-staff shouldn’t all flags American, state, act be at half-staff. Their is a building by my house with just the American flag at half-staff, the state and county flag are still at full-staff. I thought the American flag was always to be the highest flown flag, meaning all other flags are to be slightly lower than it when flown in a group. Hence they should be slightly below half-staff. Can anybody confirm?

Yes, they shall all be at half staff. Not just the American flag.

 

[Tex_Hill]

Also since the flags are at half-staff shouldn’t all flags American, state, act be at half-staff. Their is a building by my house with just the American flag at half-staff, the state and county flag are still at full-staff. I thought the American flag was always to be the highest flown flag, meaning all other flags are to be slightly lower than it when flown in a group. Hence they should be slightly below half-staff. Can anybody confirm?

In Texas, where KSUFLY said he currently resides, the state flag is flown at the same height as the national flag if you have each one on it's own pole. AFAIK Texas is the only state where this is proper etiquette. The reason being, Texas was once an independent country.

 

[HercDriver]

In Texas, where KSUFLY said he currently resides, the state flag is flown at the same height as the national flag if you have each one on it's own pole. AFAIK Texas is the only state where this is proper etiquette. The reason being, Texas was once an independent country.

This is an Urban Legend; please see the below link from Snopes:

http://www.snopes.com/history/american/texasflag.asp

I always think of a circus atmosphere when I think of Texas. You know clowns, freak shows, etc. Should be appropriate.

Wink's quote, however, is not an Urban Legend.

 

[White_Male]

Yes, they shall all be at half staff. Not just the American flag.

What if they have the US flag on a tall pole and the state flag on a smaller pole that is half the size of the US flag pole? I ask this cause I saw a US flag at half mast next to a state flag that was all the way up. (what do you call it full mast?). The US flag was still higher, even at half mast.

 

[Schnugg]

This answers a lot of Navy related flag questions. Actually more than you'll ever need to know.

NTP 13(B) is an unclassified, non-registered publication that details Naval procedures for Flags, Pennants and Customs.

 

[JZAB]

So... I so go to the office bilding and have them fix it asap. Thanks for the reconfirm.

 

[raptor10]

Quick Question: Why are they putting balloons on the flag poles?

 

[KSUFLY]

Quick Question: Why are they putting balloons on the flag poles?

They tied a group of helium balloons on the cleat. I don't know WHY they would do that...dumb I guess.

 

[pourts]

They tied a group of helium balloons on the cleat. I don't know WHY they would do that...dumb I guess.

Trying to lower their vacancy rate?

 

[Sabre170]

In Texas, (at least in the San Antonio area) apartment complexes use flags as eye catchers. The industry is very competitive and anything to increase curb appeal and catch your eye will be used. Plus their budgets are so scrutinized that balloons are cheaper than replaceing their color change (flowers).

I was in landscaping before the Navy and worked with the apartments. My guys were always compaining about having to pick up parts of a the popped balloons.