Legends of the flag

As an elected official, I participate in numerous public meetings, including those of the Moulton Niguel Water District board, Chamber of Commerce Zoom calls, city council sessions, and water association conferences. These gatherings invariably begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. On several occasions, I've had the honor of being asked to lead the Pledge.

I always enjoy throwing in some fun facts about the flag, the pledge, or other related tidbits before kicking off the Pledge of Allegiance. To switch things up from all the "water talk," I figured I'd share a cool myth about the flag here.

Back when I was working in the private sector as a water professional, I handled contracts involving military installations and bases. Every now and then, this "urban myth" about the flag would pop up on the bases.

Picture this

International diplomacy fails, and the world spirals into war. Foreign armies invade America, dealing crushing blows, and you are the only person left to defend your base. Weapons are scant, but you need to keep Old Glory from falling into enemy hands. What do you do?

It’s simple. Scale the flagpole. At the top sits a little golden sphere known as the finial ball…. (Some may call it “The Block or more commonly the Truck.”)

The ball, the myth, the legend

"Oh, say, can you see..."

It is said that inside the metal sphere is a razor blade, a match, and a bullet. As the last man (or woman) standing, it is your duty is to use the razor blade to cut the American flag to pieces, the match to burn the remains so it does not fall into enemy hands, and the bullet to make your last stand or shoot yourself...depending on the circumstance. What if the bullet doesn't match your gun? Some say there will be a gun that matches the bullet 45 feet or 6 paces from the pole’s base.

However, some say that instead of, or including, the razor blade, there is a single grain of rice meant to give a soldier strength to burn the flag and take his or her own life. Or it could be used as the start of sustenance when civilization must be rebuilt.

Others suggest there is a shiny penny in the finial ball, so America will never truly be insolvent. Or it can be used to blind the enemy.

Broad stripes and bright stars

But the boring truth may be that the finial ball is there for pole maintenance. I say “maybe,” because I never looked inside of one. A number of military flagpoles were at one time topped with gold-colored eagles, but these proved impractical because flags would become hopelessly entangled on them or become torn during high winds; the switch to spheres eliminated this problem. Another purpose is to ornament solid flagpoles and keep water out of hollow ones. 

A razor blade, a match and a bullet…. An impractical myth that can easily be discredited instead of the boring truth? I say not. The flag is the subject of legend and a sacred symbol of America….which brings together patriotism, honor, and whimsy in a curious belief or what I see as the real truth…a truth that celebrates the bravery of American soldiers who fight to the end and sacrifice everything for their flag and country. The duty expected of these warriors and the love of their country as represented by the flag…to which we pledge…is limitless.