Flag flies with honor over veterans’ white crosses
By ALLAN TINKER
Information and photos courtesy
Deb Sparrow and Lynn Helm
Nothing beats a bright sunny day with a light wind and a flag sailing over an honored spot, be it a cemetery, government building or site, school, private home or business. Such was the scene last week, when the local American Legion Auxiliary completed their flag project. The James Roberts American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) began working on a emetery flagpole project in December of 2019. At that time, they applied for, and received, gaming funds for the project from the local Merchants’ Association. The Merchants’ Association had discontinued gaming and was dispersing remaining funds to non-profit organizations. ALA President, Lynn Helm, contacted the “Flagpole Guy,” Jim Swartout. He quoted a price of $2,521 for a 30-foot flagpole with a 6 by 10-foot US poly flag, delivery, and setup. USMC-Marine Veteran Swartout has installed more than 200 flagpoles since the start of his business in North Dakota. He is an active board member of the Military Affairs Committee within the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce. After serving his country, he decided to serve the people in another way — by offering the ultimate symbol of patriotism via flag pole installation and American flags that are made in the USA. The Merchants’ Association
awarded $1,500 for the project. A community ALA soup fundraiser was held March 1, 2020, to help pay for the project.
