MONROE - American flags displayed by any unit of government in Wisconsin, including schools, must be made in the United States under a bill signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle.
City Administrator Mark Vahlsing said the city orders its flags from the Action Flag Company in Woodridge, Ill., but has no idea where they were made.
George Mara, vice-president of sales for Action Flag Company, was pleased to hear that Wisconsin's governor had passed the recent law.
One reason is the creation of American jobs. His other reason is honoring soldiers.
"Vets don't want flags made in foreign countries," he said.
The company sells flags for military funerals to Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion groups.
The company's flags are "definitely made in the U.S." Mara said. "We sell only flags made in the U.S."
The company sells about 100,000 flags a year in all sizes, up to 30 feet by 60 feet.
Mara said East Troy has a flag pole 130 feet tall, which can handle the huge flag.
Action Flag Company has been distributing flags since 1989, and gets all its flags from four major U.S. manufacturers, which Mara said have been in business over 100 years.
Monroe High School orders its patriotic U.S. flags and Wisconsin State flags from Carrot-Top Industries in Hillsborough, N.C.
Eric Pennington, director of merchandising, said the company sends out thousands of flags a week, ranging from 12 by 18 inches to the huge 30 by 60 feet, and uses three or four different manufacturers in the U.S.
"All our flags are made in the U.S.A.," he said. That includes the Wisconsin State flags flown at the school.
The United States Post Office in Monroe orders its flag from the Veterans Administration, which gets them from Milwaukee, Postmaster Dawn Oberman said.
According to the county clerk's office, Green County government buys American-made American flags.
No one knows just how many flags being displayed statewide now would no longer be allowed under the law Doyle signed Monday.
But there is no penalty for violators.
The measure passed the Legislature earlier this month. It was one of nine bills Doyle signed into law on Monday.
Another one grants free admission to state parks and trails to any severely disabled veterans and prisoners of war. About 9,400 veterans are expected to qualify.
- Times reporter Brian Gray and the Associated Press contributed to this article.
City Administrator Mark Vahlsing said the city orders its flags from the Action Flag Company in Woodridge, Ill., but has no idea where they were made.
George Mara, vice-president of sales for Action Flag Company, was pleased to hear that Wisconsin's governor had passed the recent law.
One reason is the creation of American jobs. His other reason is honoring soldiers.
"Vets don't want flags made in foreign countries," he said.
The company sells flags for military funerals to Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion groups.
The company's flags are "definitely made in the U.S." Mara said. "We sell only flags made in the U.S."
The company sells about 100,000 flags a year in all sizes, up to 30 feet by 60 feet.
Mara said East Troy has a flag pole 130 feet tall, which can handle the huge flag.
Action Flag Company has been distributing flags since 1989, and gets all its flags from four major U.S. manufacturers, which Mara said have been in business over 100 years.
Monroe High School orders its patriotic U.S. flags and Wisconsin State flags from Carrot-Top Industries in Hillsborough, N.C.
Eric Pennington, director of merchandising, said the company sends out thousands of flags a week, ranging from 12 by 18 inches to the huge 30 by 60 feet, and uses three or four different manufacturers in the U.S.
"All our flags are made in the U.S.A.," he said. That includes the Wisconsin State flags flown at the school.
The United States Post Office in Monroe orders its flag from the Veterans Administration, which gets them from Milwaukee, Postmaster Dawn Oberman said.
According to the county clerk's office, Green County government buys American-made American flags.
No one knows just how many flags being displayed statewide now would no longer be allowed under the law Doyle signed Monday.
But there is no penalty for violators.
The measure passed the Legislature earlier this month. It was one of nine bills Doyle signed into law on Monday.
Another one grants free admission to state parks and trails to any severely disabled veterans and prisoners of war. About 9,400 veterans are expected to qualify.
- Times reporter Brian Gray and the Associated Press contributed to this article.