Question about flags? (vanity)

05-28-2004 | me

[dc27]

I am buying a nice new 20ft flagpole for my property. Do any of you fly two flags at a time with one being the U.S. flag?

Is it inappropiate to fly the "Don't tread on me" flag at the same time?

[BenLurkin]

The American flag is always flown on top.

[thoolou]

Just FYI...

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

[Hodar]

The American flag is always flown on top.

True, except in Texas. Texas was an independant country prior to joining the United States. The treaty signed by Texas, as a condition for joining the USA allows for two things. First, Texas reserves the right to withdraw from the USA; and secondly, the Texas State flag does NOT fly lower than any other flag. Texas is the only state that is allowed to fly their state flag at the same level as the US flag. It's specifically spelled out in the Texas state constitution.

Just a little interesting tidbit of info.

[dc27]

Thank you.

[Jet Jaguar]

Hey, check link in post 3. It says different.

[dc27]

So as long as the U.S. flag is on top, it wouldn't be wrong to fly the "Don't tread on me" below it?

[DainBramage]

On one pole we fly the US Flag on top.

[BenLurkin]

I can't tell if you are joking. Do the Boy Scouts of America in Texas have their own manual?(serious question).

The site link posted by 'toolhu' sets out basically the rules as I understand them. In particular:

4. When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States.

[BenLurkin]

I don't think so.

[Hodar]

§ 3100.054. DISPLAY ON FLAGPOLE OR FLAGSTAFF WITH OTHER FLAG: IN GENERAL. A flag or pennant, other than the flag of the United States, displayed with the state flag:
(1) should not be above the state flag; or
(2) if the other flag or pennant is at the same height as the state flag, should not be, from the perspective of an observer, to the left of the state flag.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/GV/content/htm/gv.011.00.003100.00.htm#3100.051.00

[Jet Jaguar]

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

I had heard this as well so I checked snopes.

[Hodar]

Sorry sir; but I am NOT joking. The site in question that describes this little oddity is here:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/GV/content/htm/gv.011.00.003100.00.htm#3100.051.00

Texas has a truly fascintating history. Texas is the ONLY state to join the USA by treaty, instead of territorial annexation. The treaty that Texas signed grants it certain 'priviledges' that no other state has.

[BenLurkin]

Well, I don't want to "mess with Texas" and get Dubya on my case . . . 8^)

[gargoyle]

...Raised first, lowered last. sunup to sunset. Lit at night. At half mast raise to full height, then lower to half staff. At half mast, raise to full height then lower and fold. When the stars and stripes become worn and tattered, don't throw it away. In private, not in public, burn the flag. If in uniform, salute. If not, place your hand over your heart...

...Did I miss anything???

[BenLurkin]

All sounds good to me.

[Jet Jaguar]

Seems we have two answers.

[Hodar]

This is really fascinating. I have never heard of snopes being wrong. But, the flag rules are given in the Texas state's website, as shown here:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/GV/content/htm/gv.011.00.003100.00.htm#3100.051.00

So, if a mistake has been made, either the Texas State Consitution is wrong, or Snopes got this one wrong. Personally, I think Snopes messed up.

[rebelyell]

The "don't tread on me" flag is the Gadsden, which was designed by a South Carolinian during the First American Revolution. As for protocol, I don't give a damn. I proudly fly my state's flag over all others and always will. In fact, just today I have it on my pole....right above the Gadsden flag.

[Jet Jaguar]

I would tend to agree with you. Snopes source=

Sources:

Corcoran, Michael. For Which It Stands: An Anecdotal History of the American Flag.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002. ISBN 0-743-23617-3 (pp. 139-141).

Mr. Corcoran may be at fault.