Story of a flag...
Posted by Unknown in flag, George Sellar bridge, Wenatchee on Friday, March 1, 2013
by guest blogger Jeff Adamson
It's not unusual to see Old Glory flying in front of public buildings. One isn't surprised to see one even on a bridge, but there's sometimes a fascinating story behind some of those flags.
It's not unusual to see Old Glory flying in front of public buildings. One isn't surprised to see one even on a bridge, but there's sometimes a fascinating story behind some of those flags.
Take the case of the flag atop the SR 285 Senator George Sellar Bridge over the Columbia River in Wenatchee. A bright new flag was installed this week by two of North Central Region's Electrical crew (Tim Hein and Josh Winn), in advance of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival coming in April.
The Sellar flag is unique in that when a local Desert Storm support group got FAA authorization to put up the flag back in '92, it had to be permanently illuminated because it actually replaced the FAA's red flashing aircraft warning beacon on the top of the bridge. (It's the only flag we know of that cannot be moved, so it cannot legally be lowered to half-staff). That group replaced the flags until it disbanded in the late 90's. We then took to replacing them until the state auditor told us we had no statutory authority to expend tax dollars for the flags. We went looking for a partner and since '99, Wenatchee's RiverView Kiwanis club has been paying for them.
The 10x15' light polyester flags we are now using cost about $250.00 each and need to be replaced about every 8 mo. to a year, depending on weather.
It is a much appreciated community service.
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