KU’s flag keepers maintain high standards

Leon Garcia knows that along with the Jayhawk mascot and Campanile, the flags atop Fraser Hall are well-known symbols of Kansas University.

That’s why Garcia, a custodial manager at KU, is dedicated to keeping the flags looking their best.

“We try to fly them every minute possible,” he said. “We know there are so many people that see the flags as a focal point at the university.”

Today is Flag Day, a holiday to honor Old Glory. It was first observed in 1877, on the 100th anniversary of the Continental Congress’ adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official U.S. flag. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day as a national celebration. It was officially recognized in 1949, when President Harry Truman signed the National Flag Day Bill.

But every day is flag day for those who tend the American and KU flags that soar above the highest point on campus.

The philosophy behind caring for the flags is simple flag etiquette: leave them up unless it’s raining or snowing, and keep them lit at night. The American flag goes up first and comes down second.

And in the case of the Fraser Hall flags, bring them down if it’s too windy out. Sometimes only 15 mph of wind is enough to do damage.

“The wind takes a toll on them,” said Ed Kiernan, another custodial supervisor who cares for the flags. “If the flags are really popping up there, it rips the edges of them and the ends.”

When that happens, KU sends the flags to Scotch Fabric Care Services for mending. Sometimes they have to be replaced, and the tattered American flags are sent to local veterans groups for burning.

Flags fly at half-staff at Fraser Hall on the Kansas University campus. Crews in charge of flying the flags atop KU's highest point carefully follow flag etiquette and try to protect the banners from damage by the elements.

The flags are raised and lowered in two towers accessed from the Fraser Hall attic. Spiral staircases lead to the bottom part of the flagpoles, which are in the towers.

“If you’re afraid of heights, you wouldn’t be up there,” Garcia said. “You can see through the grating to the ground below.”

On special days — such as home basketball and football game days and commencement — the “KU” flag is replaced with a flag that just has a “K” on it.

Kiernan said those who tend to the flags were careful to treat them with respect.

text How to display the US flagtext US flag rules and regulations

“You’ve got to have a good-looking flag,” Kiernan said. “I think most people who handle the flags watch out for their care. You kind of get a feel for it. You like to see the flags flying right.”

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design for a U.S. national flag. Beginning unofficially 100 years later and eventually as an official observance, Americans have commemorated adoption of the Stars and Stripes by celebrating June 14 as Flag Day. It is not an official national holiday.On Flag Day, Americans display the flag on their homes, businesses and public buildings.Flags flown today should be at half-staff, in memory of former President Ronald Reagan. For flags that can’t be lowered, such as those on many homes, the American Legion says attaching a black ribbon or streamer to the top of the flag is an acceptable alternative. The ribbon should be the same width as a stripe on the flag and the same length as the flag.For a wall-mounted flag, three black mourning bows should be attached to the top edge of the flag, one at each corner and one in the center.