Thread: Flag display runs counter to flag etiquette

http://www.lcsun-news.com/fastsearchresults/ci_4384754

Display runs counter to flag etiquette

By Jason Gibbs Sun-News reporter
Las Cruces Sun-News

SANTA TERESA — Just across from the Santa Teresa Port of Entry, within sight of the U.S. Border Patrol building, the sand dunes and mesquite don't pay much attention to international borders.

But some of those who work in the area of the Verde Santa Teresa Bi-National industrial park are very aware of the border, and what it means to be on the northern side.

The park, which houses several facilities built to accommodate suppliers, custom brokers and logistics companies that serve manufacturing facilities in Juárez, flies three flags at the entryway — those of the United States, Mexico and the state of New Mexico.

The rub lies in the fact the American flag is flown slightly lower than that of Mexico, Hildegard Reisencheid said.

"I don't think the Mexican flag should be flown higher than the American flag," said the 48-year-old naturalized American. "This is the American side and I just don't think that's right."

The Verde Group of El Paso, owners of the industrial park, could not be reached for comment.

The Congressional Research Service on the U.S. Flag Code, Section 7, in part states: "No other flag should be placed above the United States of America" when flags of multiple countries are flown together. Later, the code states "When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace."

It also calls for the U.S. flag to be flown to the right of other nations, at the same height. While the U.S. flag in Santa Teresa is flown about a foot lower than the Mexican flag, it is flown on the right.

But that still causes concern to some in the area.

"I don't go flying my German flag above the American flag," Reisencheid said. "I've been in the United States for 30 years. It's a lack of respect. I think it's just because it is in a remote location, a lot of people have not noticed it."

Ernie Vasquez, an Army veteran, agreed.

"As a citizen, I see it as an insult to our country," he said. "There is some disrespect to the flag."

Vasquez, a member of the American Legion Post 36 in El Paso, said he would prefer to see the American flag flown on an equal level as the Mexican flag.

"I don't see why they should be flying another country's flag higher than ours," he said. "I was born here in the U.S. I'm an American first, then later on I am what I am — a human and an ethnic group. That's what I feel."


Jason Gibbs can be reached at jgibbs@lcsun-news.com


http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

This is a no-brainer. Raise our flag higher!