The American flags along U.S. Highway 412 are a fixture in Siloam Springs. The stars and stripes greet visitors and residents alike every time a motorist turns onto the highway that serves as the gateway from Oklahoma into Siloam Springs and the rest of Northwest Arkansas. Since 2001, no driver has driven through Siloam Springs without being flanked by Old Glory.
One hundred and fifty flags flap in the breeze along U.S. Highway 412, and between weather, local fauna and the demands of blowing in the wind 24 hours a day, the flags require regular, consistent maintenance.
As of this year, that maintenance will be performed by the Siloam Springs chapter of the American Legion. The veterans' organization took over the responsibility from the Lions Club earlier this year, after the Lions Club approached the city of Siloam Springs to cancel their contract to keep up the flags.
"Several of us are not physically able to address this need any more," said Susan Vaughan, who spoke on behalf of the Lions Club. "We need some young blood."
The Lions Club began flying flags along Siloam Springs' major highway year-round in 2001, after the September 11 attacks. In an interview in this newspaper in 2003, former Lions Club president Charlie Jones said the Siloam Springs flags were among the first to go up after the attacks, as they were flying only one hour and 45 minutes after the first plane crash.
"We had the flag program for many years, and we enjoyed doing it," Vaughan said.
The Lions Club had conversation with the city and a few other clubs in the area to see who could take up the task of maintaining the flags, as Lions Club membership had dwindled and some members were facing health challenges.
From there, American Legion commander J.W. Smith said the city contacted the American Legion's PR officer, Jerry Cavness about the organization taking over.
"I said, 'I think it's a hell of a good idea," Smith said. "'Let's do it.'"
Smith said he surveyed the members of the American Legion to gauge the interest in keeping the flags maintained. The response was unanimous.
"Without exception, every one of then said, 'let's do it,'" Smith said.
Every six months, the responsible party takes a cherry picker or latter out on the highway and replaces each of the flags by hand. The flags cost $25 each, and are made in America. The American Legion purchases the rest of the equipment locally, with hardware coming from Atwoods and the poles made from wooden dowel rods from another local business.
In between changes, the zip ties holding the flags are prone to break and flags can prematurely fray if they are in high-wind areas. In a six month period, Smith estimates that the group has to replace 50 flags early, and only a handful, usually three or four, are fit to be re-used after they are removed.
"I consider it a big honor to allow us the opportunity to do this," Smith said.
Smith said the American Legion, and the Lions Club before them, receives a stipend each year to cover the cost of the flags. But the labor and any incidentals -- like early hardware failure -- are the contracted group's responsibility. But to Smith, and many others who have reached out to him, it is all worth it.
"You know, you would be surprised how many people around the nation (when hearing about Siloam Springs) say 'is that the city where the flags are always flying?'" Smith said.
General News on 10/15/2017