Mail Alert Delivery Flag Replacement

I bought one of these Mail Alert flags: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ECG9FA/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The idea is you mount it to the top of your mailbox and it pops up when mail is delivered so you know if something's waiting for you. It replaces the built-in flag like that on my mailbox that broke ages ago.

The flag is metal, and prone to freezing closed in the winter. If it's up when it freezes, and someone goes to lower it, it bends, and this broke it.

This flag is