Vietnamese flags in Rosemead
I got a call from one Rosemead resident who said that she spotted a Vietnamese flag flying side-by-side an American flag on Valley Boulevard in Rosemead. Apparently, the flags have created quite a stir, and several residents have complained. I haven't had a chance to make any calls yet to see if this is a story or not. Have you seen the flags? Were you irritated?
On streetlight poles near city hall, the U.S. flag and the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam were put up (and paid for, including the actual hanging and removal) by a Vietnamese association in recognition of the 33th anniversary of the fall of Saigon (Saigon surrendered to the communists on April 30, 1975.
In Rosemead, the flags went up a few days before April 30, and came down a few hours after. [I don't know for sure what day they went up and came down, but I first noticed them around the 28th of April, and they were down by this weekend].
The U.S. Flag Code and international norms require that the US flag fly at the same height, but to the viewer's left (the flag's right), of other "national" flags. On a street, this meant that if you were driving down Valley Blvd, if you looked to either curb, at each streetlight pole, you would see the US flag would be to your left, and the flag of the Republic of Vietnam to your right.
It is somewhat debatable if the flag of the Republic of Vietnam still qualifies as national flag. But, in either event, all the flags I saw were placed in accordance with this rule. If they were not at the exact same height, they were as close to equal as could be reasonably be done.
Over 50,000 Americans died to defend the nations represented by both of those flags. Also, Rosemead has a large proportion of Vietnamese American residents. Given that, I thought the display of flags was appropriate and respectful.
Man, I sure wish I could go back and edit my posts. That should be the "33rd," not the "33th."
And the "few hours after" should say "few days after."
That is all. :D
I have a question, now that the City of Rosemead has let the Vietnamese Association put up and pay for, the former Republic of Vietnam Flags, does that mean any group who is willing to pay put up flags? An example of this would be the KKK wanting to put up Confederate Flags in honer of the end of the Civil War. How would the city deal with that?
Anyone can ask, but (IMHO) the city is under no obligation to approve all comers.
In the case of the "Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag" (the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam) the city council had previously (and unanimously) approved a resolution acknowledging the flag as a symbol of freedom and democracy in Vietnam.
Barring a similar council resolution of acknowledgement for the flag of the KKK or the Confederate States of America, there'd be no basis for the city needing to allow their flags on the streetlight poles in front of city hall.
Nonetheless, the city is currently working on a more formalized policy concerning future displays.
Is Rosemead going to pass a resolution supporting our brothers and sisters defending democracy in Irag and flag Iraq's flag?
Would you like them to?