why are 2 matches and a bullet placed in the ball atop an american flag pole?

Answer 1

It's a myth. The theory:

"Flag-defending supplies" lore seems to dictate that three items be hidden in or near the flagpole, but what those three items are varies from one presentation of the rumor to the next.

Generally, one item is provided to destroy or mutilate the flag (a match or a razor); the second item serves to arm the defender, either for the purpose of battling onrushers or assisting him in ending his own life (a bullet or a revolver), and the third item is purely symbolic (a penny to represent America's wealth, or a grain of rice to indicate that American soldiers are so tough they can survive on almost nothing). However, all manner of combinations are posited in different versions of the legend, including two-item offerings.

Answer 2

They're not. If there were, every incoming soldier would be briefed on the location of said items, as well as where the supposed M-9 is buried. You can tell that it's a myth for a few reasons.

1. We have a regulation on how to walk in a straight line, but not this.
2. If you leave a weapon buried in the ground, it will rust, and be unserviceable when you need to use it.
3. People call the ball on the top of the flagpole the truck. It is actually a Farule (not sure on the spelling for that one.) Flagpoles do have trucks, but that term related to the pulley system.

The myth goes that if a base is overrun, the last peson left is to climb the flagpole and remove the flag and items from the "truck". Then that person is to desecrate the flag by cuting the starts out, and then burn it. First, not an effective use of labor (Why cut out fifty stars if you're just going to burn it all, anyway?) Second, if my base has just been overrun, I'm either fighting or running, not climbing any flagpoles.

Oh, and if you hea the myth as it relates to the colors, remember that the flagpole bears the flag, not the colors. The colors have the 2 inch yellow trim aound the edges.

One more thing: If the army wanted the last soldier left to take his own life, they wouldn't give us suicide prevention classes every quarter.

Answer 3

theyre not in the ball theyre in a box buried at the base of the pole. in the event the base was overrun a match was provided to burn the flag. a 45 with 1 round was used on yourself to prevent capture. im not sure about a second match or a razor.

Answer 4

I spent 6 years interior the 82d and can definitively inform you that snopes is lifeless incorrect in this one. you would be stressful-pressed to locate it interior the regulation, specific, however the army has taught their troops with regard to the finial for some years. i will in my view inform you that this may be a query you may (and frequently will) be asked at the two a Soldier of the Month board and/or an E-5 board. For those unfamiliar, you sit down in a chair and are interviewed by potential of many First Sergeants and a Sergeant considerable who presides over the board. i'm sorry, yet snopes (a civilian business enterprise) does not comprehend very lots approximately our defense force's inner workings (the failings that ensue or are taught without being in any regulation, per se). i comprehend there are in all probability one hundred people to view this that think of they comprehend what they're speaking approximately, yet we veterans and repair individuals comprehend that a civilian merely can't comprehend the unusual techniques our defense force operates.

Answer 5

match to burn the flag, bullet to shoot yourself(.45) due to the military using 45s in the old days, and the razor is to cut the stars off the flag not sure forgot about that one.

Answer 6

That's a myth. And the myth has a razor, a match, and a bullet...not 2 matches and a bullet.

Answer 7

so you can set the flag on fire and shoot your self

Answer 8

never heard of that one.