A retention system for securing to a structure, the retention system comprising: a clamp assembly for attaching to the structure, said clamp assembly comprising a clamp body for attaching to the structure, said clamp body being configured with an upper surface with an attachment shaft centrally located in the upper surface for receiving a fastener to attach items and objects thereto; a top block configured with an upper surface and a lower surface configured with a generally planar shape with a guide shaft formed therein and extending between said upper and lower surface wherein said guide shaft being adapted to receive said fastener thereby joining the top block to said attachment shaft of said clamp body, said top block comprising a flange located in a mounted state of the retention system, adjacent to a side of said clamp body wherein said flange being adapted to allow rotation of said top block, and a latch assembly located on a side of said top block opposite said flange; and a cross member assembly configured with a body consisting of a generally elongated planar shape with a front surface and back surface, said back surface being provided with two or more segments. one of which being formed by an anchor arm extension and the one or more other segments (202, 206) being formed by at least one arm extension (216, 216a, 216b), said anchor arm extension extending generally transverse from a back surface of said body and comprising an anchor assembly adapted to operably connect to said latch assembly of the top block and clamp assembly, and said at least one arm extension (216,216a, 216b) extending generally transverse from a back surface of said body and comprising a coupler channel (203,205,207) configured to operably connect an ice flag and/or to receive a connector therein, characterized in that the cross member assembly further comprises a damp stand-off surface (219,229) located on the at least one arm extension (216, 216a, 216b) and/or on said anchor arm extension of said cross member assembly, said clamp stand-off surface (219, 229) being adapted to abut a side of said clamp body when said anchor assembly is secured in said latch assembly for opposing forces applied by snow, ice or other objects to the cross member assembly and/or the ice flag. a clamp assembly for attaching to the structure, said clamp assembly comprising a clamp body for attaching to the structure, said clamp body being configured with an upper surface with an attachment shaft centrally located in the upper surface for receiving a fastener to attach items and objects thereto; a top block configured with an upper surface and a lower surface configured with a generally planar shape with a guide shaft formed therein and extending between said upper and lower surface wherein said guide shaft being adapted to receive said fastener thereby joining the top block to said attachment shaft of said clamp body, said top block comprising a flange located in a mounted state of the retention system, adjacent to a side of said clamp body wherein said flange being adapted to allow rotation of said top block, and a latch assembly located on a side of said top block opposite said flange; and a cross member assembly configured with a body consisting of a generally elongated planar shape with a front surface and back surface, said back surface being provided with two or more segments. one of which being formed by an anchor arm extension and the one or more other segments (202, 206) being formed by at least one arm extension (216, 216a, 216b), said anchor arm extension extending generally transverse from a back surface of said body and comprising an anchor assembly adapted to operably connect to said latch assembly of the top block and clamp assembly, and said at least one arm extension (216,216a, 216b) extending generally transverse from a back surface of said body and comprising a coupler channel (203,205,207) configured to operably connect an ice flag and/or to receive a connector therein, characterized in that the cross member assembly further comprises a damp stand-off surface (219,229) located on the at least one arm extension (216, 216a, 216b) and/or on said anchor arm extension of said cross member assembly, said clamp stand-off surface (219, 229) being adapted to abut a side of said clamp body when said anchor assembly is secured in said latch assembly for opposing forces applied by snow, ice or other objects to the cross member assembly and/or the ice flag.