Bella Vista Public Library is starting a new tradition this fall by honoring our veterans. We are proud of our servicemen and servicewomen and are thankful for what they do. So, starting this November, the library will have a display of American flags twice a year: Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
We are hoping there are enough flags purchased to line Dickens Place, but no matter how many are purchased, whether it is five or 500, the flags will be displayed to honor our veterans.
Each flag will have a tag with the name of the person who purchased it and any information they would like to include.
From now until Oct. 15, flags can be purchased for $30 each. Your $30 will buy a 3-foot by 5-foot American flag, a 6-foot flagpole and laminated tag. Each flag can be purchased in memory or honor of someone. Please understand that this is not a fundraiser. All money collected will be used for this project only.
I want to answer a couple of questions before we even begin this project.
1. "Are you going to fly the flags at night?" Yes. I know that American flags are not supposed to be flown at night unless they are illuminated; however, the parking lot at the library is well lit, so I do not think this will be a problem.
2. "Are you going to fly the flags during inclement weather?" Yes. This has been a real concern for me, but it is impossible to remove the flags every time there is bad weather. A veteran told me once to think of it this way: The soldiers don't get to come in when it rains, so it is OK for this project to leave the flags out in the weather. Believe me -- I understand and respect flag etiquette, and I know the rules. Some things just simply cannot be helped, so I am asking the public to please understand.
While I lived in south Arkansas, I did this project at our courthouse square for a couple of years, and it was breathtaking to see all the flags flying in the wind. It is truly a project that I am passionate about and I would like to share it with the wonderful community of Bella Vista as well.
To participate in this project, all you need to do is pick up a form at the library and turn it in with $30. Checks can be made payable to Bella Vista Public Library. That's all there is to it; we will do the rest.
The last day to purchase a flag is Oct. 15. The flag display will be up from Wednesday, Nov. 2, to Wednesday, Nov. 16. They will be put up again for two weeks each spring around Memorial Day.
If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call at the library at 479-855-1753 or send me an email at [email protected]. If you would like us to mail you a form, we'll be glad to do that, also.
I hope many of you will participate in this wonderful project as we honor our United States veterans.
See you at the Library!
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Roxie Wright is director of the Bella Vista Public Library. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Community on 09/14/2016