Montanans are patriotic.

Regardless of our political affiliation, most Montanans are quite patriotic. You don't have to look very far to see Old Glory flying proudly on houses, farms, ranches, and businesses of all sizes, in every community. Townsquare Media's Johnny V wrote about the tallest flagpole in the state (with video) when it was erected last fall on private property at an undisclosed location in northwest Montana. It's pretty awesome.

Michael Foth, TSM
Michael Foth, TSM
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It feels wrong to buy a US flag made overseas.

Something rubs me the wrong way about purchasing an American flag with the words "Made in China" (or Thailand, India, Mexico) stamped on the fabric. According to a 2018 piece by the Atlantic, various legislation has been proposed (largely after 9/11) to outright ban foreign-made US flags, with a smattering of success. Thankfully, 94% of all US flags sold in America are made domestically, according to the Flag Manufacturers Association of America.

Michael Foth, TSM
Michael Foth, TSM
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Montana's only retail flag store shut its doors in September.

My brother has a farm on the highway near Canyon Ferry and put up a huge flag pole earlier this spring. It's lit properly and is really a beautiful sight, especially at night. I asked him where he bought the giant flag and if it was made in America.

Michael Foth, TSM
Michael Foth, TSM
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He proudly said, "Yep! Got it from a place out of Helena. One of the few flag stores that sell US-made flags in Montana." I took a picture of the guy's business card, with plans to originally write this story a little bit differently.

As I was Googling Montana Flag and Pole, I was saddened to learn that the mom-and-pop owners recently retired according to this  Montana Standard article. The paper reported that after decades of business at their Last Chance Gulch shop, the owners felt it was time to move on. They had hoped to find a buyer for the business by the end of September, but it appears unlikely according to news reports.

UPDATE 10/5 - I received an email from reader Carol Van K. this morning who mentioned that her family operates Western Flag and Banner, located south of Billings towards Edgar. The women-owned shop also sells and installs flagpoles.

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