CC - Item 4B - Display of the Vietnam American Heritage and Freedom Flag with the United States of America Flag Along Valley Boulevard as a Symbol of Freedom and DemocracyROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
l
DATE: APRIL 14, 2015
SUBJECT: DISPLAY OF THE VIETNAM AMERICAN HERITAGE AND FREEDOM
FLAG WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FLAG ALONG
VALLEY BLVD. AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY
SUMMARY
The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County is again requesting that
the City Council support the Vietnamese American citizens of the Rosemead community
by authorizing the display of the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag
side -by -side with the United States of America Flag as a symbol of freedom and
democracy along Valley Boulevard from Saturday, April 25 through Sunday May 3 rd .
The display of the flags together side -by -side in this manner is consistent with the
protocol specified in the United States Flag Code. This years' flag display will also
commemorate 40 years since the end of the Vietnam War and the fall of Saigon on April
30, 1975.
Staff Recommendation
That City Council APPROVE the request of the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los
Angeles County to display the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag side -
by -side with the United States of America Flag from April 25 2015 through May 3, 2015
in accordance with the protocol specified in the United States Flag Code.
BACKGROUND /DISCUSSION
For the past several years the City has authorized the Vietnamese Refugee Community
of Los Angeles County to display the Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom Flag
along Valley Boulevard in commemoration of the fall of Saigon on April 30 1975. This
historic event ultimately resulted in the immigration of tens of thousands of Vietnamese
refugees to the Untied Stated where they have made significant contributions to our city,
state, and nation.
The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County is once again requesting
authorization to erect the Vietnamese Freedom Flag on light poles along Valley
ITEM NO.
City Council Meeting
April 14. 2015
Page 2 of 2
Boulevard to be displayed side -by -side with the American Flag in accordance with the
United States Flag Code Section 7, which reads as follows: When flags of two or more
nations are displayed, they are flown on equal separate staffs of the same heights. The
flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of
the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
All costs associated with the display of the Vietnamese American Heritage and
Freedom Flag along with the United States of America Flag will be borne by the
Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County.
Attachment: Letter from The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County
The Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County
P.O.Box 7694, Torrance, CA 90504
TEL: (310) 381 -9629 - (626) 421 -0940
Email: congdongvnla @sbcglobal.net 'State No. CA 2502787
March 15, 2015
Dear Honorable Mayor Bill Alarcon
Mayor Pro Tern Margaret Clark
Council Member Polly Low
Council Member Sandra Armenta
Council Member Steven Ly
On behalf of the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County. We would like to
sincerely thank the Mayor and all of the Rosemead city Councils for consideration of this request,
As you all know this year of 2015, this country will commemorate 40 years since the end of the
Vietnam War with the Fall of Saigon on April 30"', 1975 and the beginning of Vietnamese American
immigration to the United States. As the Vietnamese American Community business and residents grow
rapidly in the beautiful and diverse city of Rosemead. Our contribution to the community in commerce,
cultural enrichment, and political involvement. The Vietnamese - American community would greatly
appreciate your help and support to make this event successful. We recognize your accomplishment as
the people - elected officer to support this event. It is an important part of our community's living history.
The Vietnamese American citizen whom are resident in city of Rosemead to ask the Mayor and all
city councils to support and grant the permit for the Vietnamese American citizen in city of Rosemead to
the commemoration of the Black April, 2015 by displaying the Yellow flag with Three Horizontal Red
stripes as side Vietnamese American Heritage and Freedom a symbol of "Freedom and Democracy in
Vietnam" side by side with the American flag on the light post, on Valley Blvd. Beginning at the corner
of N Charlotte Ave thru corner of Mission Dr, from the day of Sunday April 25, 2015 thru Sunday
May 03, 2015.
Once again, thank you very much for the Mayor and city councils support this event. We wish you
and your family all the best. May you always be in the loving hands of God.
Sincerely,
Long Nguyen
Current President of the Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County