What should be buried in the base of a flag pole which flys the American Flag?

Hi buford-ga,

What an interesting question!


I looked at the following 3 sites, but didn't find anything regarding
what might traditionally buried in or at the base of a flagpole flying
the American flag:

The National Flag Foundation ( http://www.americanflags.org )

The American Legion's Our Flag Page
(http://www.legion.org/our_flag/of_main.htm )

Veterans of Foreign Wars' Flag Etiquette Page 
( http://www.vfw.org/yourtown/you_FlagEtiquette.htm )


I then called the National Flag Foundation (located in Pittsburgh,
412-261-1776) and spoke to David White, who said that burying a
bullet, finial, or other item at the base of a flagpole as part of
flag etiquette is an "old wives tale," and is not necessary.

I hope this answers your question... If you'd like further help on
this question, please feel free to post a Request for Clarification!

Best,
Rebeccam-ga



I searched for american flag buried base custom OR etiquette
( ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=american+flag+buried+base+custom+OR+etiquette
)

And visited the pages suggested at http://www.troa.org/about/FAQ.asp

---

Clarification of Answer by rebeccam-ga on 01 Aug 2002 16:33 PDT

I've left a message with the National Flag Foundation, asking
specifically about the 'bullets in the truck' and 'box under the base'
suggested on the page cited in pinkfreud-ga's comment.

I'll let you know what I hear!

---

Clarification of Answer by rebeccam-ga on 07 Aug 2002 14:40 PDT

buford,

Just wanted to let you know that I spoke to David at the National Flag
Foundation again, and he assured me that burying bullets/a saber/a
pistol/matches with a flag (especially in any official capacity) is
"an old wives tale."

Again, if I can be of any further help, please feel free to post a
request for clarification!

Best,
Rebeccam-ga

I have posted this same comment in buford-ga's other thread, but it is
equally applicable here.

On a page of supposedly factual trivia related to military service, I
found this bit of information:
 
"At the base of each flagpole on an official government installation
is a box buried in concrete. The box contains one saber, a .38 caliber
pistol and a book of matches. In the event the enemy overtakes the
last government installation, the survivor is to defend the flag with
the saber and pistol and burn the flag with the matches so that the
enemy cannot capture the flag."
 
"A collection of little known facts about military service" 
http://www.2ndarmoredhellonwheels.com/itsafact.html