Outdoor flagpoles have become an important part of our culture, weaving their way into our lives. They represent our pride, our sorrow, and our thirst for companionship. We raise our flags on them to show honor to our nation, our soldiers and our way of life. We lower our flags on outdoor flagpoles to share our nations mourning with the world, and we make arrangements to meet friends under their majestic shadows. When in school it was not uncommon for friends or parents to say “meet me at the flagpole”. It is such a powerful symbol that everyone could recognize it, and thus it made for an excellent meeting place.

In fact, it is for this reason that “See You At The Pole” must have gotten its start. On September 12, 1990 students decided to gather at the school flagpole to pray together for their school, fellow students, teachers and their country among other things. Today over 3 million students gather at flagpoles around this date every year around the world to pray together. The outdoor flagpole is so much a part of our culture that in 1929 “flagpole sitting” the art of sitting on the tops of flagpoles for long periods of time became something of a fad. “Shipwreck” Kelly once sat on an outdoor flagpole for 49 days, and once determined that he probably logged approximately 20,000 hours of his life sitting on outdoor flagpoles.

Outdoor flagpoles were once made only from hardwood, which would be carefully carved and treated to protect it from the elements as best as possible. Today, outdoor flagpoles are still made from hardwood, but are also available made from aluminum and fiberglass. There are even telescoping outdoor flagpoles that make raising and lowering flags a breeze, so to speak.

Today, more than ever it is important to show the world our unity, pride, and support for our country. For many years outdoor flagpoles were rare sites in our front yards. Due to recent events that have pulled our country and its people together, outdoor flagpoles are again cropping up all over our nations front lawns. People are proudly displaying the country’s flag, their state flag, and sometimes the flag of the loved ones military unit.

Although many people may want to purchase an outdoor flagpole, they may be intimidated by the installation. In truth installation can be a challenge for the novice handyman or woman, it is within most peoples abilities. Begin your installation by digging a whole (refer to your manual for exact dimensions). Then fill the whole with gravel and sand to your outdoor flagpoles specifications. Place a PVC pipe into the whole and work it into the gravel and sand. Make sure the tube is plumb and braced, then pour in some concrete around the PVC pipe ensuring that no concrete goes into the whole. Allow the concrete to set for 24 hours before continuing the installation of your outdoor flagpole. This will ensure maximum stability for your outdoor flagpole. After the concrete has cured you may continue the installation based on your outdoor flagpoles instructions. Use extreme caution when installing outdoor flagpoles around overhead or underground power lines. You should always refer to your outdoor flagpoles instructions and follow them carefully for installation, as installation can vary based on the type of pole you purchase.

Now that your outdoor flagpole is installed you may honor your flag and display your pride.