Before and after photos of the flag poles at the Hidden Harbour II residential community are shown. Submitted Photos
OCEAN CITY — Whether it was a childish prank setting the tone for what is likely to come in the weeks ahead as the June Bugs arrive or something more sinister, a set of high-flying flags, including Old Glory herself, were stolen from a north-end Ocean City neighborhood this week.
When Hidden Harbour II resident and recent Ocean City Council candidate Chris Rudolf returned home to the north-end bayfront community around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, the four flags on the traditional nautical pole including the U.S. flag, the Maryland flag, the Ocean City flag and the community’s banner were snapping away in the pouring rain and stiff wind during a turbulent storm. By 7 a.m. on Wednesday, all of the flags and the ropes with which they were raised and lowered were all gone.
Rudolf, a Kite Loft employee who raises and maintains the community’s flag collection each spring and takes them down each fall, said on Wednesday he had never seen any flag stealing or vandalism of any kind in the years since he has lived in the otherwise quiet community.
“This sort of thing has never happened in all the years I’ve lived here,” he said. “They took the flags and even the ropes. Someone really went out of their way to do this. Stealing flags is not cool.”
Rudolf, who is also a member of the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals, said with the arrival of June this week, similar pranks and petty thefts and property destruction is expected. About this time last year, young partygoers in the downtown area were arrested for stealing a huge concrete lion statue from in front of a residence. About two years ago, young suspects stole the iconic turtle statue alongside the original Greene Turtle on 116th Street, and it every year it seems like a good idea for someone to attempt to steal one of the resort’s lifeguard chairs.
Signs are stolen and the list goes on and on, but in the case of flags, or the U.S. flag in this incident, the case is much more sensitive for many. In an era where images of the theft and desecration of the U.S. flag seem more prevalent than ever in recent memory, this week’s theft of the American flag from Hidden Harbour II resonated with many.
“I hope it’s just a June Bug prank and whoever has them is taking respectful care of the flags,” said Rudolf. “I know it’s June and these things happen, but I hate to see the flag disrespected.”
Rudolf offered another possible explanation involving the placement of the American flag on the traditional nautical pole with a gaff. At Hidden Harbour II, the American flag was posted on the forward gaff of the pole set-up with the community’s banner at the top in a higher location and the Maryland and Ocean City flags off to either side. Rudolf said it is a time-honored nautical tradition to fly the flag of highest honor on the gaff, even though it might be lower than the highest flag in the assembly.
“Sometimes it’s controversial because the American flag is not flown at the tippy-top of the mast, but it has been a naval tradition for years and it’s still honored,” he said. “Maybe somebody took exception to the American flag not flying the highest, but it’s perfectly acceptable.”
Rudolf said the position on the gaff is considered the place of honor in naval tradition although many aren’t keen on seeing the American flag flown lower than other banners. According to the U.S. Power Squadron, expert on all things related to the American flag, many people are confused with the proper way to fly the national ensign from a gaff-rigged pole, but the American flag should always be flown from the gaff. The gaff-rigged pole had its origins at sea because of all of the sail carried by the riggings of early vessels, the flag of a nation could not always be seen from the top of the mast. That was the tradition started when the U.S. Navy was created in the 18th century.