JESSIE GAMBRELL
STAFF WRITER
In the center of Craven Circle stands three flagpoles, one holding the CSUSM flag, another holding the California flag and the middle one holding the American flag. This is all good and proper, but when it comes to the American flag, it is standard protocol that our country’s flag should be higher than any other flag next to it, unless there is a line-up of flags from other countries, according to the U.S. Marine Corps Flag Manual.
As the daughter of a 30- year U.S. Marine, I felt compelled to see that our American flag is not disrespected, especially at our school. So, I called up Lieutenant Douglass Miller at the Campus Police, and he explained everything to me, being a U.S. Marine in the Color Guard before serving at our school. He explained to me that according to his U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard guide, “No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the national flag”.
With that being said, the flag poles in Craven Circle are not, per say, breaking any rules, but it is still “pushing the limits” with disrespect toward our flag.
As a precaution, the Campus Police always make sure to bring the American flag all the way to the top and the other two flags slightly below. If you go to the Office of Provost on the fifth floor of Craven Hall, you can see how the heights of the flags compare best.
This is the most we can do for now, unless the campus stumbles upon funding for new flagpoles. The flagpoles are very expensive, and since the flagpoles are on a slope as it is, the foundation for them is very unstable, causing further difficulties in construction and management. In fact, Lt. Miller said that when he first got here, they were uneven, and the cables were tangled. He said he got that fixed right away.
No matter what the case may be, there are ways to honor and respect our American flag, whether by awareness or fundraising activities. Our American flag is the symbol of our nation, so to have it in it’s proper and rightful spot in the sky is our duty to our nation.