It is beyond question, especially if you visit this website often, that Buffalo is on the rise. We’re letting go of our inferiority complex and embracing all the things that make our city great. So why don’t we physically show those feelings?
Our city has an amazing flag and we should all be flying it more often.
The 1924 design from architect Louis Greenstein was ahead of its time. It displays the importance of the harbor, gives a nod to New York being one of the original 13 colonies, and reminds everyone that we were one of the first cities in the world with widespread electricity. In other words, it says, “Here’s why we’re awesome.”
In my opinion, when you show pride in your city, whether that is in the way you talk, or act, or in this case, the way you choose to decorate your home or office building, you become even more welcoming to your guests and uplifting to your fellow residents and business owners.
Don’t think it makes a difference? Let’s take a look at Chicago. As much pride as I or anyone else has in Buffalo, it is important to remember that we can always learn from other cities. Chicago has chosen to fly its city flag all over the place. Similar to the meaning behind our flag, its stripes refer to its geography and its stars refer to the city’s major accomplishments. From homes and office buildings, these flags let guests know that they have entered into a city in which people are proud to be living and working. See just how beautiful its buildings look while showing that pride:
When you are walking the streets of Buffalo today, it is very difficult to find our flag being flown. Most buildings fly both an American flag and a Canadian flag. This is great! We’re an international city on the border with Canada. If a third flagpole is available, we often find the New York State flag flying. OK. I may be alone in my opinion that the Buffalo flag should trump New York State’s flag, but where I really see a problem is when a particular building has an extra flagpole that they choose to leave empty. Take a look:
After walking around town in search of our flag and coming up short more often than not, I decided to reach out to Peter Roe at Ace Flag. He would also like to see our flag fly in many more places around town and has graciously decided to offer 10% off all City of Buffalo flags for the remainder of July.
Whether it is your home or office building, fly that beautiful flag, Buffalo!
Ace Flag – AceFlag.com – (716) 681-2345 – 5444 Transit Road, Depew, NY 14043
Lead image: A photo of an original “flag drive” that Buffalo Rising ran years ago. The effort pooled enough money to put in an order to Ace Flag. A few of the recipients of the flags are pictured, and many of their flags can be seen around the city today.