Sandpoint Rotary takes over flag service from Lions

SANDPOINT — For more than 62 years, American flags have popped up in and around the community during most national holidays.

The flags are there at dawn and disappear at dusk. 

While some people know the Sandpoint Lions Club has been the force behind this powerful display of patriotism, most have no idea how much work goes on behind the scenes.

Too much work for an active Lions Club that has its hands full with Toys for Tots, the annual Easter egg hunt and a Fourth of July spectacular that is second to none.

The Lions Club members didn't want this service to go away but knew they didn't have enough members to keep it going.

Enter the Sandpoint Rotary Club.

Lions Club member Tom Dabrowski has attended Sandpoint Rotary meetings and has often made presentations in front of the Rotary Club.

It was obvious to him the 100-member Rotary Club and club President David Keyes might be the answer.

"Tom reached out to us and made it clear it was something we should consider," Keyes said. "It was a no-brainer because I told him of course we would take it on without even knowing the nuts and bolts of how it works. I couldn't imagine Sandpoint without all of those American flags lining our streets in front of businesses and homes.

"This is a very patriotic area and this display of flags is a huge example of that," he said. "It wouldn't be Sandpoint without the American flags."

Sandpoint Rotarians voted unanimously to take it on last month and Lions Club President Janice Reader officially turned over the program last Wednesday.

"The Sandpoint Lions Club members are very proud of this patriotic service and have partnered with our friends at the Sandpoint Rotary Club and have helped them continue the program," said Reader.

Lions will be showing Rotarians the secret of placing nearly 100 flags in and around Sandpoint 10 mornings a year and then taking them all down later those same days.

Readar and Rotary will soon be sending out letters to all of the local participants to let them know about the change.

"We are excited and honored the Lions thought enough of us to allow us to continue this patriotic legacy," Keyes said. "It's in good hands."

A Sandpoint American Flag history lesson

Sandpoint Rotarian Bev Kee did some research at the Bonner County History Museum and compiled this:

On Aug. 21, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower admitted Hawaii into the United States as the 50th state and ordered the American flag be updated to feature 50 stars. The new flag was  officially adopted on July 4, 1960, and it was ceremoniously raised during celebrations across the country.

Forward thinking and very active Sandpoint Lions Club member Cal Jones was determined for this community  to participate in this historic event. In April of 1960, the Sandpoint News-Bulletin read "50 Star Flag Sales Pushed by Lions."

Jones, a Sandpoint High art teacher and chairman of the Sandpoint Lions Club 50-star flag service sales project announced his committee will start flag service sales next week in the downtown business area. 

The project will consist of the local club furnishing, putting up and taking down, maintaining and storing the flags for local merchants.

The flags will be displayed each holiday and during all celebrations, according to Jones. Jones said he hoped the city would have a uniform and beautiful display of flags throughout the business district.

Chairman Jones reported at the June 1960 club meeting that there was no word on the arrival date of the flags but he certainly hoped they would arrive by the Fourth of July celebration.

No further history or documentation exists of when the flags did arrive but it's safe to say the Lions Club has faithfully kept this program going.