In the opening ceremony of the 1908 Summer Olympics, all participating nations held their flags at a 45-degree angle out of respect for Great Britain’s King Edward VII – except for one.
America famously refused to bow the flag, and flag-bearer Ralph Rose is quoted saying, “This flag dips to no earthly king.” The move was to stand with the Irish, who were fighting for independence from Britain at the time, and also an example of how seriously Americans consider their nation’s symbol to the world.
Holiday for Heroes is an organization based in Burlington that shares the same spirit. Their mission is to honor military members and first responders, and they have recently partnered with Allegiance Flag Supply and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office for Operation Tattered Flag.
Together, the organizations are on a mission to replace damaged American flags with new ones while respectfully retiring the tattered flags they collect.
As a result of the partnership, Boone County Sheriff’s deputies will be on the lookout for damaged flags, make contact with the property owner, and ask if they would like their flag retired and replaced. If deputies meet a veteran without a flag who wishes to have one, the sheriff’s office will arrange to have a new flag delivered to them as well.
The partnership was announced by the sheriff’s office in June as a precursor to the Holiday for Heroes annual event on July 2. From 4 p.m. to midnight in the Arborwood subdivision, located on Catalpa Court in Burlington, Holiday for Heroes is hosting a cookout with live music and fireworks after dark.
Dinner at the event will be served at 6:15 p.m., and consist of hot dogs, hamburgers and barbecued meats. Fireworks will start around 10:30 p.m. The event is free and people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, as well as donate to Holiday for Heroes.
All proceeds from the event go toward scholarships for military and first responder families “who have had their lives affected by their parent’s service to our country and our communities.”
Residents who have replaced their own flags and need to dispose of their flags can find a dropbox for American flags inside the lobby of the Boone County Administration Building, located at 2950 Washington St. in downtown Burlington.