The American Flag Pole Is Too Tall
Keywords
national symbolism, mourning, community values
Abstract
Not far from my home is a round-about with a flag pole at the center. I pass that flag pole multiple times a day. As I see the flag, I reflect on what it represents: freedom, determination, opportunity, sacrifice, values, community, love.
All too often I see the flag at half-staff. I know that symbolically we put the flag in this position to represent mourning or sadness, grief or sorrow. I believe the scripture is right when it says there is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
But I can’t shake the wonder from my mind that our flag poles are too short.
If our flag is so often at half-staff, shouldn’t that be the height of the flag pole?
What does it say about me, my community, my country when the flag seems to be more often at half-staff than full-staff?
Sure, we put the flag at half-staff at the death of a beloved or noted leader in the community or country.
Original Publication Citation
The American Flag Pole Is Too Tall, August 6, 2019.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Halverson, Taylor, "The American Flag Pole Is Too Tall" (2019). Faculty Publications. 9952.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/9952
Document Type
Other
Publication Date
2019
Language
English
College
Marriott School of Business
Department
Marketing
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