Flags for Heroes: Honoring Heroes of all kinds
W
hen one sees the word “hero,” most people think of military members, police officers, and fire fighters. Without question, these protectors and rescuers are absolutely the most recognizable. These selfless heroes lay their lives on the line each and every day to keep us safe, save us when things go wrong, and bring justice our communities. However, there are many types of heroes. Hero is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” A hero can be a teacher who helped you turn around your academic life, a coach who knew you had talent and wouldn’t give up on you, a nurse who went above and beyond to help you when you were sick, your hardworking father, your sacrificing mother, your wise grandparent, a family member or friend, or even a stranger. It is ALL of these heroes, from veterans to neighbors to cops to parents, that will be honored by the Waynesburg Rotary Club this summer. Rotary Clubs across the country hold annual Flags for Heroes events but Waynesburg had yet to have one until 2018, when the Waynesburg Rotary Club held it’s first Flags for Heroes event. When the Vietnam Travel-
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by Stephanie Lampe
ing Memorial Wall made it’s stop in Greene County in 2017, the Cheat Lake Rotary Club loaned out their Flags for Heroes flags. The flags were displayed on the Greene County Fairgrounds fence along Rt. 21 for more impact. Melody Longstreth, Co-Chair of Flags for Heroes, credits Connie Hart, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, for borrowing the flags from the Cheat Lake Rotary. “She told us that we should consider doing a Flags for Heroes event,” Longstreth says, “She [Hart] is responsible for the idea.” The Waynesburg Rotary members were not familiar with the event and needed more information. Soon after, Co-Chairs Melody Longstreth and Barb Wise met with Jordan Feathers, President of the Cheat Lake Rotary Club. “He gave us a lot of information,” says Longstreth. In 2018, the first Flags for Heroes event was held in Waynesburg. Longstreth explains that individuals or businesses can sponsor a flag in honor or memory of a hero. “The hero can be anybody,” she adds. The flags were displayed on the Greene County Fairgrounds fence along Route 21. “We advertised on social media and had radio and print ads,” shares Longstreth. “We were very pleased
with the response.” The Waynesburg Bonner Scholars helped with putting up and taking down the flags. “If they are available, we hope to have them back this year,” adds Longstreth. The 2019 event will run from the end of June through the week of July 4th. The flags, which are 3 ft. by 5 ft. American flags hung on a 10 foot pole, will be attached to the Greene County Fairgrounds fence again this year. “The flags will be about 15 feet in the air,” says Longstreth, “and we are expanding this year.” Not only will the flags be displayed at the fairgrounds along Rt. 21 and Rt. 188, there will be flags displayed at the airport as well. “We are very excited,” adds Longstreth. The proceeds from last year were saved and used to purchase more flags. (Fun Fact: all Rotary Clubs purchase their flags from the same company which has worker(s) assigned to work only Rotary.) “We are still in the growing phase,” states Longstreth. They are
Flags line the fence at the fairgrounds.
a group of volunteers assembles the flags.
hoping that, after this year, they will be able to start using proceeds to benefit individuals and organizations that reflect the Rotary Club motto “Service Before Self.” GreeneScene Magazine •
JUNE
2019
