I have only one pole right now. I know I fly the American flag on the top. I have another country flag, as well as my US Territory flag.(which, by the way, my Grandfather designed) Which one do I display in the middle?

Ronnie

[Peter Ansoff]

Hi, Ronnie,

Unfortunately, there is no correct way to display two different countries' flags on the same pole. The flag code (which is based on long-standing international usage) says:

"When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height . . . International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace."

(The "in time of peace" phrase refers to the old custom of flying the enemy's flag below one's own flag on a captured ship or fort in wartime. It was a rather obvious taunt: "Hey look -- we beat you guys!")

Flying the territorial flag under the US flag is normal and proper, but there's really no way to do all three on the same pole.

It's neat that your grandfather designed a territorial flag. Could you tell us which territory it was, what his name was and any historical background that you might have?

Best regards,

Peter Ansoff

US Virgin Islands. His name was Percival Wilson Sparks. He was from Kenucky. He was a yeoman in the Admiral's office that was in charge of the island after the transfer from Danish tiimes. He was told that he was always doodling so maybe he can doodle a flag, which he did! My Grandmother and Great Aunt then proceded to needlepoint it! It's now 90 years later from the transfer and I think 85 years since it was adopted.

Ronnie

[Peter Ansoff]

Ronnie,

Wow, what a great family story!! I looked around a little on the web, and found the article in the VI Daily News:

Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Newspaper, A Pulitzer Prize Winning Newspaper, Virgin Islands Guide, Virgin Islands Info

about your Great Aunt, including her picture. The article mentions how she made the first USVI flag. She sounds like quite a lady! I also wondered if there might be a picture somewhere of Rear Admiral Sumner Kittelle, the Governor who asked for the flag design. The only one I could find is here:

www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h54000/h54150.jpg

which shows him as a young cadet in 1889 (he is the third man from the left.) Do you know if your grandfather saved any of the original sketches? They would be valuable documents now.

BTW, Ronnie mentioned that 2007 is the 90th anniversary of the transfer of the USVI from Denmark to the United States. "Transfer Day" is March 31st. We should all be sure to fly our USVI flags on that day, and thank Ronnie's Grandmother and Great Aunt for making the first one!

Regards,

Peter Ansoff