In-ground Flagpole fell

Hi, we purchased a house a few months ago and it had a 20 ft. sectional (I think that's the propewr term) flagpole in the front yard. It just hit the ground today. Not much wind today. It has a large 5' x 8' American flag and a 3' x 5' state flag on the pole. Did the previous owners attach flags that were too big? The pole is of a stainless steel material and it snapped 2" below the ground. There is a thin plastic tube surrounding the pole.

I think the pole can be salvaged, however, I need to know what that tube's function is that is in the ground now. Can I just use like a SCH 40 PVC tube that fits the diameter of the pole? I want to do this right.


Thank you very much...KC

 

Is the lower portion of the flag pole still in the sleeve? If so, can it be removed without destroying the sleeve? It sounds like the pole was the weak point rather than the sleeve in the ground.

 

Yes, their is about 2 ft. of the pole in the ground still. Tried pulling it out but no luck.