(IPF) FLAG ETTEQUETTE & PROTOCOL
IFP will feature 3’ x 5’ all weather nylon flags. The IFP will display the flags of the countries participating in the 2010 Olympic Games. These flags will be flown in two flag display lines in the arch field on the west and east sides of the Peace Arch (Diagram attached). At the 2008 Torino, Italy, Winter Olympic Games there were 86 countries. Based on this, we anticipate that there will be 80 – 90 countries participating in the 2010 games. Each country participating in the games will be represented in the IFP display by two flags. One will be in the east IFP display and one in the west IFP display.
The U.S. and Canadian Flag Regulations, Protocol and Etiquette: As prescribed by international land Peace Arch Park flag etiquette is currently as follows: The USA and the Canadian flags located on the Peace Arch are at full mast 364 days a year. The flags are lowered and flown at half-mast jointly on November 11th, in honor of Veterans Day & Remembrance Day.
U.S. and Canadian flag regulations for a line flag display are the same. Therefore we propose that the IFP flags be flown in the order of the countries position of honor, park sovereignty, followed by the park historical sovereign. The remaining sovereign countries flags would be flown in alphabetical order (which are U.S. and Canadian flag regulations). As you view or face the line display the flags would be featured or begin from left to right. Flag regulations also state that all flags poles must be the same height and that flags displayed at night must be illuminated.
IFP DISPLAY HISTORY FLAG
The IFP Park Historical Sovereign Flag is the Union Jack. The Union Jack flew over the Arch prior to Canada adopting its own flag in the 1960’s, and Canada
is a member of the British Commonwealth. Additional historical significance includes that the Peace Arch was created and constructed to commemorate the Centennial (1814-1914) of the Treaty of Ghent, signed between the U.S. and Britain (British Canada) in 1814. It should be noted that the bicentennial of the treaty establishing peaceful relations between the two countries is fast approaching in 2014.
IFP DISPLAY EXAMPLES
Northbound Interstate 5 west of the highway: Flag #1 Position of Honor USA, Flag #2 Park Sovereign Canada, Flag #3 Park Historical Sovereign Britain.
Southbound Highway 99 east of the highway: Flag #1 Position of Honor Canadian, Flag #2 Park Sovereign USA, and Flag #3 Park Historical Sovereign Britain.
The will be interpretive plaques identifying the IFP display near the beginning (flag of honor) of each at the display. The USCPAA, as a nonprofit group dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of this North American cultural icon this provides a wonderful opportunity to educate park visitors at the same time we honor the Arch and park’s legacy.
NATIONAL ANTHEMS PROTOCOL (Park)
National anthem protocol for “Oh Canada” and the “The Star Spangled Banner” determines the anthem
of the country in which the event or ceremony is being held is the country as the anthem featured first performed. For example: If the event is on the Canadian side of the park or Arch the Canadian anthem is performed first. If the event is held on the U.S. side the U.S. anthem is performed first.
Since the International Flag Procession display will be illuminated, it will be especially spectacular to see at night. Like the International Peace Arch, it will also be available for viewing 24 hours a day both online at peacearchpark.org and Washington State Department of Transportation web sites.
IFP FLAG INSTALLATION
The total numbers of flags to be featured during the display are between 160 and 190 (depending on the total number of countries participating in the games). Therefore, there will be between 80 to 90 flags installed on both east and west sides of the Arch field.
IFP flags will be installed 20 feet from the highways on both the east and west sides of the Arch. IFP flags will be placed evenly in lines displays 3 feet apart. Each row will be approximately 330 feet in length (165 feet in each country.) See diagrams for clarification.
The IFP displays (viewing) will run north to south 99 (Canadian Soil) and south to north I-5 (U.S. soil). The flags will be placed evenly between each country (straddling) the border like the Peace Arch.
The non-permanent installation method of securing the flagpoles uses 14” x 1 ” 3/8” sidewalk sockets placed in the landscape. The sidewalk sockets are removable and will have no long-term effect on the park. All IFP flags will be displayed at the same height.
The flagpoles for the actual display will be a minimum of 7.5 feet tall and no higher than 10 feet tall. The preferred flagpole material selected is a natural wood. We believe this aesthetically complements the flags and the natural environment of the heritage site.
The illumination of the flags (at night) will be by small spotlights that are placed
near the flag display. The IFP flag display will be flown during both the Olympics February 12 to 28, 2010, and the Paralympics Games March 12 to 21, 2010.
Note: The Washington State Peace Arch State Park has already agreed to provide the electricity for the entire display. USCPAA volunteers and U.S. Park officials and staff will monitor and maintain the flags during the display.
IFP HONORARY BOARD MEMBERSHIP
An International Flag Procession Committee will be established with internationally known individual. The board will include: US & Canadian Park officials, USCPAA, U.S. and Canada Consulates, Border Agency officials, various other Government officials, Academic officials, Business, State or Provincial regional and local officials. These members will be expected to participate in one fundraising event (Dinner, Gala, Picnic) and the will also be invited to attend the opening ceremony of the flag procession.
In addition to supporting the IFP Display, our goal is to create an honorary board consisting of diverse park stakeholders. The USCPAA Board would also make a great effort to encourage these stakeholders to remain connected and active the international heritage sites preservation.
IFP FUNDRAISING & PROMOTION
Donations (in kind & cash) and sponsorship funding raised by the USCPAA will purchase flags, flagpoles, lighting, installation supports, and the IFP opening ceremony. The association will invite individuals, community groups, businesses and corporations to support the project. Various levels of sponsorship will be available to donors.
It is anticipated that international groups, local businesses, cultural groups, individuals & non-profit groups will be delighted to help show the spirit of peace and goodwill of our region to the global community.
Depending out their level of support, each sponsor will receive a certificate of recognition in the IFP event brochure, on the IFP web site, and a sponsorship plaque on their flag’s flagpole in honor of their gift. The collectable IFP event publication that will accompany the flag display will recognize the sponsors the provide meaning to culture and heritage of the park.
The project will have a web site that will provide worldwide access to project details, honorary board membership, sponsorship information, and park and USCPAA organizational history. This will enable the global audience to participate in sponsorship in addition to the cross border regional community. The web portal will be interactive and allow park visitors and sponsors to post their comments, photos and videos.
IFP FLAG INSTALLATION OPENING CEREMONY
The USCPAA will coordinate and implement an official opening ceremony for the IFP. We anticipate that we will get diverse participation from the partners and sponsors whose funding supported the creation of the IFP. The association is willing to work independently or in partnership with other area community groups or VANOC for a successful event. The Olympic Torch will stop at the park on February 9th, 2010. Our event can be held in conjunction with the Olympic Torch stop at the park or independently. (VANOC - Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee)
opening ceremony can take place in coordination with or independently of the Olympic Flames pass thought the international park on February 9th, 2010. We will be inviting sponsors, supporters and volunteers to the grand opening of the flags.
VOLUNTEERISM
The International Flag Procession will bring together a variety of opportunities for volunteers from a large group of civic organizations and members of the greater border community. In addition to underlying the long history of peaceful relations between neighboring nations, individuals and service clubs will have occasion to demonstrate their diversity and achievements in bringing peoples together.
Local and regional political figures, city officials as well as private citizens will be afforded a "once in a lifetime" situation that will be a showcase for the legacy of the Peace Arch Monument to the world.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
While the Peace Arch Monument is dedicated to the commemoration of our peaceful relations for nearly 200 years, there are great benefits to the communities involved. In such a spectacular venue, decorated with flags of the participating nations, it will be a natural cultural attraction to visitors from around the nation and world. In a culturally under-served community, such
as the border towns along the Washington State line, people and cultural exchanges will be experienced in several meaningful ways. This follows a pattern of those who have traveled great distances to experience the magnificent monument and reflect on how it has brought them together
hereon and along a over 3,000 mile boundary as well.
THE LEGACY OF THE PROCESSION OF FLAGS TO THE WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA PARKS
With the strategic location of the Peace Arch Monument (the only one in the world so dedicated), both Parks will be the beneficiary of much comment and media publicity. It is expected that between the magnificent new border facilities and the timeless attraction of peace loving visitors, much coverage of the Parks and adjacent cities will accrue to both locations. It is truly a perfect site for attracting the media from the other nations participating in the Winter Games for behind the scenes interviews and background information of the athletes and the nations also involved.
Provincial, state and National attention will be focused on such media events and traffic updates at the most modern border facilities in both the United States and Canada. This will enable the governing bodies of the both to better understand the needs and future activities that the location provides. The Historical value to the two sites will be more apparent as the many thousands
of visitors flow through the park as well.
Reference: Web sites of other successful flag projects. The Colonial Flag Foundation (Healing Field’s) http://www.healingfield.org.
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We are working with international groups, local businesses, cultural groups, individuals & non-profit groups to help us show the spirit of peace and goodwill of our region to the global community. We are in the the process of establishing with cross border community leaders. The Peace Arch Park International Procession of Flags Honorary Board membership will be announced later this fall. We have already consulted with a former ambassador (Canada) for guidance in creating a program that will be respected, appreciated worldwide. 