Finally, flags made in America

Mike Thompson
Mike Thompson

If you go to the website of Congressman Mike Thompson of California, you’ll see several flags. A U.S. flag flies, appropriately, on his banner. You click on another flag to get information for veterans. Guidelines can also be found for arranging to receive an Old Glory that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. There is even a rainbow flag that connects to his stand on “LGBT rights.”

Recently, Thompson sponsored a new law that brought American flags in line with such things as food and clothing. As he described it, the law “makes sure every flag bought by the U.S. Department of Defense is 100 percent made in America with American products.” It was, he added, “appalling” that such a law was needed.

One reason he was interested in such a law is that his district encompasses a manufacturer of flags. But, in addition, there are two more important reasons: He a Vietnam War veteran and a Purple Heart winner.

“Our men in women in uniform should serve under American-made flags,” declared Thompson, who is a Democrat, “and our tax dollars should be spent on American-made flags.”

Raising a flag at the Pentagon
Raising a flag at the Pentagon

The Pentagon buys thousands of flags every year for everything from ship masts to burial ceremonies. Now those flags will be totally American-made. Previously, U.S. flags either were wholly made in China and elsewhere off-shore, or they had some portion of them (the cloth or dyes, for instance) produced outside the U.S.

Ironically, the use of foreign-produced flags surged after 9/11, when American manufacturers could not keep up with demand. (The new law, which passed in February, applies only to the Department of Defense. Other government agencies can continue to buy flags overseas.)

The law adds flags to a list of items that must be American-made. That list, which is now more than 70 years old, was passed just before World War II began and encompasses food, uniforms and even stainless steel.

Now, at least for the Pentagon, “what so proudly we hail” will also be a totally U.S.-made item.

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