HOULTON — “Operation: Adopt Old Glory” is one of the signature projects of SOAR of Houlton (Support Our American Recruits). Early in July, from the Houlton Exit off 95 south down North Street, the Stars and Stripes waved in anticipation of two great events — Houlton’s Bicentennial and the homecoming of several soldiers returning from service in Iraq. Many of our returning troops remarked that the newly displayed flags that had not been up when they left were a sign that the community had not forgotten them as they were serving on the other side of the world.
Flags, purchased with support from local donations, are placed up North Street earlier this summer. Photo courtesy of Rick Kelley.
It was through a matching program with the Cole Land Transportation Company that the town of Houlton, through SOAR, was able to purchase the first 48 flags. Since that initial purchase, 30 more flags have been purchased, many of which have been given in honor of an active American recruit or in memory of a veteran. The response has been heartwarming as we have heard it said, “Is there a more beautiful sight to the patriotic eye than the Stars and Stripes adorning the streets of a small town!”
The list of those who have supported this project thus far are listed below. A special thank you must be mentioned to Donald and Dorothy Fitzpatrick and the Houlton Rotarians both of whom donated the cost of ten flags in honor of all soldiers and veterans.
But where have all the flags gone? The Houlton Water Company who graciously installed the brackets and mounted all the flags removed them so that they might be prepared for winter storage at SOAR headquarters in Hodgdon. The flags will be displayed again before Memorial Day 2008. The additional 30 flags will be displayed along Smyrna Street on the way to the cemetery where many of our hometown military heroes lie. The American Legion Post #47 has indicated a desire to see the flags continue out the Bangor Road as well.
The Legion leadership would remind us that flag etiquette states that the American Flag is not to be displayed if it is ripped or torn. The American Legion is a collection agent for your weathered or torn flags; they will be properly disposed of at their annual flag-burning ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, 2008.
“Operation: Adopt Old Glory” is an ongoing project of SOAR. Additional flag sets will be purchased as funds are received. The cost of the bracket, pole and flag is $35 a set. Please feel free to contact one of these SOAR members with any questions or request for information you may have. Peg 532-6578, Bev 532-2693, Marilyn 532-4378.
Operation: Adopt Old Glory Donors and Honorees: (If designated, honorees are included in parentheses after the donors’ names.) Jonathan and Susan McLaughlin; Ruby Sjoberg (Wallace Sjoberg WWII); Karen Folsom (Roger Folsom); Paul and Marilyn Sjoberg (SSGT Scott Sjoberg, Operation Iraqi Freedom); John and Esther Faulkner (PFC William A. Orr KIA WWII); John and Vicki Stanley (Chester Harris); Gary and Allison Bossie (MJR Jonathan Bossie); Woodrow and JoAnn Dunphy (Albert Dunphy US Navy WWII); Michael and Kim Folsom (Ken Butler); Mike and Wanda Parks (Roger Oliver WWII); Michael and Sharon Raymond (Sylvio Raymond WWII, Steven L. Porter Viet Nam); Marcia Jane Homchuck (Paul E. Homchuck); Cheryl Grant (Cheryl Grant and Mike Cummings, Ben and Maddi Cummings); Mary Grant (Veteran David A. Grant); Alan and Rosalind Mulherin (SPC Ryan Mulherin); Houlton Rotary; Bruce and Jean Collett; Donald and Dorothy Fitzpatrick (for all soldiers and veterans).
