Thanking the Flags for Heroes Project

The tradition known as “Flags for Heroes” began as part of what has become a weeklong President’s Day celebration on the Island. It has become a huge success for the Noontime Rotary Club of Marco Island in conjunction with the local YMCA. 

It began as part of an effort to show support for First Responders and all of the “unsung heroes” who walk amongst us every day of the week. Those would, of course, include law enforcement, fire/rescue, EMS and members of the military. It goes on to recognize our teachers, social workers as well as parents and grandparents.

We recently received a letter to the editor finding fault with the term “heroes” because he might not have understood the intent. In my opinion, we shouldn’t narrow the scope of who we find as our heroes today, although I do find fault with those who elevate professional athletes, actors or actresses to the same level as the men and women who wear the badge or come to our assistance as First-Responders. Because a professional athlete might wear a helmet on a Sunday afternoon does not, in my opinion, raise him or her to the same level or stature of men and women in service to their communities as First/Responders or military personnel.

The media intentionally or unintentionally has a way of elevating public figures to a “certain special status” in the eyes of school children and unfortunately with some of the adults in the room.

In a discussion with some students in my classroom a number of years ago we engaged in a conversation about that very issue. Fast forward half a century later (yes, I did teach 50 years ago) and the challenge still exists to separate fantasy from reality, how we evaluate those around us, and the impact they may have or not have on our lives.

The same may apply in how we choose potential candidates for public office and how they might perform in those positions that affect our lives or that of our children. 

Those 440 flags that waved at us as we passed by them last week had to make us all proud, and I hope their presence brought a smile to everyone.

I know that no matter where I went when I traveled overseas for business, I would always take great pride when someone asked me where I was from. When I responded I came from America, I took great pride when their faces exploded with a smile, and they peppered me with questions about our nation. I was always willing to stay and chat about the America I knew and was so proud of.

It was easy to talk about our nation because it was easy to talk about the people. The men and women who made it so great. The everyday heroes who get up every day to provide for their families. The police officer who stops to help change a tire for an elderly lady or gentleman on the side of the road, and yes, I have seen it, as have many of you. Like the men and women who had immigrated here and began their own businesses.

Yes, I enjoy talking about this great country and the good we have done for so many over the years. Each of those flags tells a story and each of the thousands of threads within each flag represents something wonderful which has been done as but another as part of that flag’s history.

Four hundred and forty flags were set out in front of the YMCA in 2024 and next year with any luck there will be 500 and more still the next year. For each year, there will be more stories to tell about even more heroes because of the monies raised by the Noontime Rotary Club, which will act as the foundation for more good work being done by those wonderful volunteers, good work that is done each day by Rotarians around the world. Join the Rotary and be part of doing something good for someone else.