Thirteen years ago, elected council members spent time at no less than a half dozen meetings exploring where to place a prominent flag pole to fly Old Glory.

They were eager to expand on the Manteca Chamber of Commerce’s Flags over Manteca effort that places 2,400 flags along city streets on select federal holidays.

And they wanted to build on the goodwill of the massive Memorial Day Commemoration that was being conducted annually at the time at Woodward Park.

Initially, they wanted a telecommunications tower a wireless company sought to erect within the city’s corporation yard on Wetmore Street to double as an 80-foot flag pole with a massive flag that would be visible from the 120 Bypass.

But given relays for other communication systems would have issues with a flapping flag and the logistics of maintaining a large flag, the idea was dropped.

Since the transit station was breaking ground in 2012, the council added a larger-than-usual flag pole to the project.

It was considered a natural fit as the building’s brick and glass design was commissioned to create an iconic civic structure complete with a four-sided clock tower.

Today, the flag pole still flies the Stars and Stripes.

However, what was once viewed as being a source of civic pride has gone to the wayside.

The tattered and faded flag has been tangled in a tree for at least six days if not longer given the flag was lowered to half-mast — or the level of the tree — on the day President Carter died.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com