Community donations helped to continue the 'Flags over Bago' tradition. | Canva
Community donations helped to continue the 'Flags over Bago' tradition. | Canva
Winnebago residents continue with flag tradition despite it being put at risk due to storms. For the past 11 years, a group of community members have put up stars and stripes across Elida Street during Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Labor Day, 4th of July and other special occasions.
“We drilled 178 holes, and put in 30-inch PVC pipes from one end to the other," said Mary Gross, who started the tradition in 2009.
"It's about a mile long of flags on both sides of the street," said Gross.
| File Photo
According to a release on Nov. 23, severe storms damaged homes and businesses in the town. It also affected “one of the town’s most beloved traditions.”
“We had 180 flag poles and we have 12 left that wasn’t damaged,” said Gross. “I’d say it’s about 90% we lost.”
According to the release, Gross statd each of the flag and pole set costs $25 a piece, and with most of the flags damaged, she will be needing help for funding. She set up a GoFundMe account to raise $1,000 and with the help of the community, and was able to meet her goal in less than 12 hours.
“It just blew me away, I think I was more emotional with that than I was seeing the flags torn up,” said Gross in the release, “The response of people is just outstanding. It's unbelievable.”
As for the damaged flags, Gross will be reaching out to the Boy Scouts for a flag retirement ceremony in May, just before the new set of flags will make their first appearance.
Alerts Sign-up