LA Times cites Glenbrook Dodge flag

The Los Angeles Times' Dan Neil cites the United States flag at Fort Wayne's Glenbrook Dodge in a story on Donald Trump, giant flags, Barack Obama and flag etiquette.

The article, written for this weekend's LA Times Magazine is titled "Big-time Flag Wavers":

We begin, as we must when discussing matters of appalling taste, with Donald Trump. The billionaire de- veloper has run afoul of the California Coastal Commission over an oversized flagpole in front of the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. The giant staff looms 70 feet over the money-green landscape and 54 feet over the city's height limit for "accessory structures."

The Donald's conspicuous mast (oh dear) was grudgingly approved by the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council with the proviso that the commission would have the final say. Trump stalled the process when he somehow couldn't come up with the commission's $10,000 evaluation fee. He said: "If the Coastal Commission wants to rip down the American flag, we'll see them at the Supreme Court." Trump is the John Dillinger of grandstanding.

This is not the first time citizen Trump has done battle with flag-hating collectivists. In October 2006, he got into a similar row with Palm Beach city officials when he unfurled a dwarfing, weather-generating flag over his Mar-a-Lago estate, a flag 15 times larger than permitted by ordinance. The city fined, he sued, and the whole matter was settled with Trump glorying in himself as if Palm Beach were Mt. Suribachi.

As much as I hate to break up the man's narrative, Trump's flags clearly and gallingly violate the United States Code regarding flag etiquette. Chapter 1, Title 4, Section 8 (i) states that "the flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever." Trump's mega-flags flap over places of business--namely, golf courses and the private club at Mar-a-Lago.

In a season when the fate of the republic could turn on a little flag--like the one absent from Barack Obama's lapel--the greater sacrilege are these absurd, star-spangled spinnakers flying over car dealerships. There are dozens of such flags across the country; as near as I can tell, the largest is a 50-by-80-foot monster on the grounds of Glenbrook Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Photo credit: Glenbrook Dodge website.

Comments

[brian stouder]

"Trump's flags clearly and gallingly violate the United States Code regarding flag etiquette. Chapter 1, Title 4, Section 8 (i) states that "the flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever."

Well - if that person is correct, then I think that the United States Code needs to be revised.

The meaning of the 'advertise', according to my (well-worn) Merriam Webster is: "1: Inform, Notify; 2: To call public attention to esp. in order to sell"

Therefore, anyone who flies a flag on their private property would violate the spirit of the standard that "the flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever."

Afterall, when I hoist our flag to the top of the pole, at our home, what am I doing? I am "Informing" and "Notifying" passersby that my family and I love the United States, and we're proud of the United States...and when it is at half-staff, we are "Informing" and "Notifying" passersby that some national or state mourning is being observed.

And, for the record, I unabashedly admire the flag flow by Glenbrook Dodge; and many times I have noticed it at half-staff, and then looked to see what has happened, or what is being observed. They are clearly making a sustained effort to fly their flag properly. The only thing I object to is when individuals or businesses fly flags until they are soiled and shredded wrags

(and further by the way, up 'til recently, Texas Roadhouse was flying their Texas flag UPSIDE DOWN! They finally figured that out, and - last I saw - had it flying right-side-up!)

Ed. note:

It is impressive to look north from one of the taller structures in downtown Fort Wayne and see Old Glory flying on that north elevation.

[Dave Sanders]

I agree. I like the flag on Glenbrook - especially seeing it from I-69 when driving home.

I prefer it MUCH more than that garish Las Vegas Style billboard. Very distracting and cheezy. But at least I can't see it from the highway.

[A Glenbrook Dodge Chrysler Jeep Employee]

As an employee I can tell you some things about the flag.

The flag is taken down and changed every 15 days so that repairs can be made and the flag can be cared for properly. There are several so they can be rotated.

It takes between 15-30 people to lower the flag properly because of it's enormous size. It is believed to be the largest continuously flying flag in the US.

Recently it was at Half Mast to honor "Peace Officers Memorial Day".

I can also tell you, upon driving to work, many times I have seen motorists pulled over taking pictures or even video taping it flying.

I have even seen one man pulled over saluting the flag and then wiping tears from his eyes.

Just my two cents on the whole thing.

Ed. note: Thank you for the explanation.

FWOb is making an exception from the regular comment policy for this insight into the care for the Flag.