I run a place of business and want to place three flag poles. The US Flag, TN state flag, and our company flag. The poles are the same height, these are virtical poles 24 ft. tall, and I have placed them in a straight line, however someone has approached me and told me they sould be in a triangle with the American flag in front. What is the protcal with pole placement and order of flag placement on the poles.

[Peter Ansoff]

Hello, John,

Actually, both the triangle and linear arrangements are very common. Normally, the triangle is arranged so that the single pole is in front of the other two. Generally, the protocol is:

Poles in line: US flag, state flag, company flag in order from right to left (or left to right as viewed from the front).

Poles in Triangle: US flag on the front pole, state flag on the rear right-hand pole, and company flag on the rear left-hand pole. (Again, left and right are reversed from the observer's point of view.)

I have three 15 foot poles in front of my house, and they are arranged along a curved front walk that leads to the front door. They're thus arranged in what amounts to a very shallow triangle, which basically looks linear from a distance. I actually use both of the above protocols, depending on the circumstances. If I'm flying 2 or 3 flags, I proceed as if the poles were in line, and put a plain pennant on the left-hand pole as a filler. If I'm flying only one flag, I put it on the center pole and fly pennants on the other two poles.

BTW, the Tennessee flag is one of my favorite state flags.

Peter Ansoff

[american_flag_uk]

the Ohio state flag is my favorite state flag with no contest whatsoever!! i love the shape and the colours and the arrangement of it all!

[Peter Ansoff]

the Ohio state flag is my favorite state flag with no contest whatsoever!!

I'm probably biased in favor of Tennessee -- I lived there for 6 years and graduated from both high school and college there. However, you have to admit that it's a fine design, and the symbolism of the 3 stars is excellent.

When we held our annual NAVA meeting in Nashville a couple of years ago, there was some discussion about the history of the Tennessee flag. I had always assumed that the blue stripe along the fly was supposed to represent the Mississippi River, which forms the western border of the state. However, that's apparently not true -- the designer put it there just because it made the flag look better.

I'm not sure what my favorite state flag is. Probably a toss up between Maryland and Arizona.

Peter A.

[O'DubhGhaill]

Ohio is quite unique, but it is difficult to beat Maryland for incredible colour combinations and patterns...

[O'DubhGhaill]

Peter, have you a picture of the layout of your flagpoles at the house - sounds excellent.

[Peter Ansoff]

Hi! Here is a view of my flagpoles:

02-09-07sm.jpg

(It was taken on a very cold day in February!)

Peter Ansoff

[Robin Hickman]

.
QUOTE : "Hi! Here is a view of my flagpoles: (It was taken on a very cold day in February!)"

Yes, we can see that in the picture, because in the picture (mostly because it IS a picture!) ALL the Flags & Poles appear to be frozen stiff !!!

Robin
.

[Peter Ansoff]

ALL the Flags & Poles appear to be frozen stiff !!!

Actually, I was trying to warm things up by flying those particular flags. It did not seem to work, however.

Peter A.

[roverindy]

I am looking for help with flag pole spacing.
I have a 24' pole with 5'x8' US flag and 5 20' poles with 4'x6' military branch flags.
I have three options-
a single row- which end is the US flag pole placed and how far apart are the poles?
a circle around the US flag pole- how big is the circle? My first guess is at least nine feet radius to keep the US flag from touching another pole.
a semi-circle around the US flag pole- how big is the circle? My first guess is at least nine feet radius to keep the US flag from touching another pole.