# Federal Flagpole: Secret Stash **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 16, 2001, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149 "2001-04-16T12:25:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/21 "2016-07-01T00:41:59Z")
> [@Lundboat1](#): > > and a revolver with 6 bullets so you can kill as many tangos as you can before being killed. That number would apparently be no greater than “six”. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/22 "2016-07-01T01:02:09Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > That number would apparently be no greater than “six”. Not if they’re lined up just right. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/23 "2016-07-01T01:07:20Z")
[Here](http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us!ful.html#inball) is a fun discussion dismissing these myths about the flag pole/truck/ball. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/24 "2016-07-01T03:46:35Z")
None of that is right. It contains matches and directions for burning the flag if it’s about to be captured by the enemy. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/25 "2016-07-01T12:34:25Z")
[Snopes has a little to say about related myths.](http://www.snopes.com/military/flagball.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/26 "2016-07-01T13:26:15Z")
So you’re the last man/woman/cadet left defending America. The “tangos” are coming over the hill. You retrieve these secret weapons and supplies 30-50 feet off the ground by…? ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/27 "2016-07-01T13:39:26Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > The “tangos” are coming over the hill. > > You retrieve these secret weapons and supplies 30-50 feet off the ground by…? And what if they want to Salsa instead? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/28 "2016-07-01T14:00:50Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > None of that is right. It contains matches and directions for burning the flag if it’s about to be captured by the enemy. Which is also why all American flags are secretly made from guncotton. Because matches aren’t reliably going to ignite a huge flag made of polymer fiber or untreated cotton on the best of days, let alone in the wind or rain. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/29 "2016-07-01T14:30:54Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > [Snopes has a little to say about related myths.](http://www.snopes.com/military/flagball.asp) From that link: > [@](#): > > Rob Dalessandro, of the U.S. Army Center for Military History at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., says noncommissioned officers take this legend so seriously that at promotion boards, soldiers are asked how far the pistol is buried from the flagpole: “In some they’re pretty specific: It’s six paces, the pistol from the flagpole and some of them even mention a cardinal direction.” Dalessandro, however, says no Army document formalizes this ritual. That is just…sad. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/30 "2016-07-01T14:41:19Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Right, and we tell new plebes at Annapolis and new sailors in the fleet lots of urban legends… That should be “sea stories,” of course. :smack: Sea stories may be tall tales, but they can be distinguished from urban legends or fairy tales by the following rule of thumb: Fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time…” Sea stories begin with “OK, this is a no sh\*tter…” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/31 "2016-07-01T15:37:24Z")
The FACTS from a flag pole company… > **[What Is in the Top of a Flagpole? The Gold Flagpole Topper. - Custom Flag...](https://www.customflagcompany.com/blog/2015/04/01/22h7xkrydtlxvjt4iqqoqklzwb8hy6/)** > > There are many myths or urban legends surrounding the contents of the gold flagpole topper on top of the flagpole that are installed at military bases. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/32 "2016-07-01T15:55:42Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Sea stories may be tall tales, but they can be distinguished from urban legends or fairy tales by the following rule of thumb: > > Fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time…” > Sea stories begin with “OK, this is a no sh\*tter…” 😉 And then there’s “I read this on FB/Pinterest/Snapchat/Twitter, and…” ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/33 "2016-07-01T16:08:09Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > The FACTS from a flag pole company… > > [What Is in the Top of a Flagpole? The Gold Flagpole Topper. - Custom Flag Company](http://www.customflagcompany.com/blog/2015/3/24/22h7xkrydtlxvjt4iqqoqklzwb8hy6) > [@Custom Flag Company](#): > > …We install many flagpoles and flagpole balls and many at military bases and we have not run across any items except the bolt that attaches the ball to the rest of the pole. This is obviously disinformation to keep the Commie hordes from being tipped off to the existence of our secret flagpole caches. > [@Spelling-Challenged Commentator](#): > > …what is in the truck, there is a round of ammo - this is to take the last shot, a match to bro the flag if the base is over ran, and a grain of wheat to replant the fields. This is the most sound and logical explanation of what is in the Truck. Well, that is indeed a sound and logical explanation. I’m convinced. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/34 "2016-07-01T16:14:42Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Not if they’re lined up just right. Deadpool is not a documentary. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/35 "2016-07-01T16:20:29Z")
> [@robby](#): > > That should be “sea stories,” of course. :smack: > > Sea stories may be tall tales, but they can be distinguished from urban legends or fairy tales by the following rule of thumb: > > Fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time…” > Sea stories begin with “OK, this is a no sh\*tter…” 😉 I like to begin. “This is a true story. …” At the end I may acknowledge, “Well, it truly is a story.” But then I am largely a landlubber and occasional freshwater sailor. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/36 "2016-07-01T16:29:56Z")
Two points to address some of the practical concerns of getting at the supply stash hidden in the ball at the top of the flagpole: First, you don’t get to the top of the flag pole, you get it down to you. It’s a Captain America test of ingenuity to see if you’re smart enough to be allowed access to the ball. Second, the ball only opens for those who are worthy. It’s a sort of Thor thing. That said, the only thing I’ve ever known to be concealed inside of flagpoles is radio verticals (cite: I saw it advertised on a ham radio supply store website the other day as a means of erecting a radio antenna without annoying the neighbors as much). ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/37 "2016-07-01T18:18:59Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Two points to address some of the practical concerns of getting at the supply stash hidden in the ball at the top of the flagpole: > > First, you don’t get to the top of the flag pole, you get it down to you. It’s a Captain America test of ingenuity to see if you’re smart enough to be allowed access to the ball. With the additional way-beyond-Captain-America test of ingenuity of getting the top of the flagpole down to you without lowering the flag. Because if you’re going to fight to the death to defend the flag, the stupidest opening move you could make would be to signal surrender by [striking your colors.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striking_the_colors) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/38 "2016-07-01T19:10:34Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > With the additional way-beyond-Captain-America test of ingenuity of getting the top of the flagpole down to you without lowering the flag. Because if you’re going to fight to the death to defend the flag, the stupidest opening move you could make would be to signal surrender by [striking your colors.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striking_the_colors) Yes. It would have been interesting to see Skinny Stevey’s solution had the flag been the Stars and Stripes and not a regiment or camp rag. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/39 "2016-07-01T19:21:11Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Not if they’re lined up just right. > [@Yllaria](#): > > Deadpool is not a documentary. I killed two rabbits and injured a third with one shot once. Just sayin’… ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149/40 "2016-07-02T01:02:40Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Yes. It would have been interesting to see Skinny Stevey’s solution had the flag been the Stars and Stripes and not a regiment or camp rag. 😃 He pulls the pin, pushes the pole, and uses his body to keep the flag from hitting the ground. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-flagpole-secret-stash/62149.md?page=3)