Vets unfurl field of flags
Published 10:21 am Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Display to be ready for Freedom Fest debut
Display to be ready for Freedom Fest debut
An American flag and a POW/MIA flag hung calmly in the air Tuesday morning after a group of veterans raised the first part of a new field of flags at Bandshell Park.
“It looks really good,” VFW Commander Scott Wiechmann said.
The veterans assembled and installed poles that will fly 51 flags later this week along the trail from Main Street, past the bandshell and just north of the Veteran’s Pavilion for Freedom Fest this weekend.
Wiechmann thinks the flags will add more pride and spirit to the celebration.
Legion Commander Kirk Olsen raises a flag at the start of the Field of Flags Tuesday morning at Bandshell Park.
“It promotes patriotism,” he said.
The American Legion Post 91, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, the auxiliaries and other veterans groups partnered to bring the field of flags for various patriotic holidays.
“It’s vets helping vets,” said Ron Hanson, DAV commander. “It’s a good project.”
The flags will be used for holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Flag Day, Patriot Day and at special request.
“I know the vets will appreciate it,” Wiechmann said.
Flags could eventually be added to another stretch of trail that runs north to south through the park.
The rest of the flags will be raised at 8 a.m. on Friday with help from the Boy Scouts.
