The annual Memorial Day ceremonies held on the Courthouse Square lawn will be enhanced this year with the presence of several American flags outlining the perimeter. The flags, a display a patriotism, brought about by the Charlotte Kiwanis Club Flag Project.
Kiwanis Club member Stephen Shook remembers a time, not too long ago, when American flags would adorn the Charlotte community on all patriotic holidays. Reminded of their recent absence by Charlotte residents and retired Brigadier General Tony Oien, Shook is leading an effort by the Charlotte Kiwanis Club to restore flags in the downtown area.
“One of the most honorable things you can do is honor our veterans,” Oien said. “They have provided us with freedom through sacrifices made through all of the wars.”
Working with Courthouse Square and the City of Charlotte, the Kiwanis Club is asking businesses, organizations or individuals to sponsor flags throughout downtown, especially Courthouse Square.
“We heard from different people about wanting to put this effort forward,” Shook said. “We found two other clubs that had similar programs in place and revamped them a little to fit our community.”
Flags can be sponsored for $65 for the first year and $50 a year thereafter. The flags will be placed on light poles along the downtown corridor of Cochran and Lawrence avenues and will surround Courthouse Square six to seven times a year if not more.
The Charlotte Downtown Development Authority has donated funds to purchase new flag holders that will be mounted on the 31 light poles in the downtown area. Shook estimates another 150 could be placed around Courthouse Square.
“We’ve set a goal to get the downtown filled and at least 50 at Courthouse Square in the first year,” Shook said. “I think its an important project and the Kiwanis Club will get them up six or seven times a year.”
Plans are set to have the flags displayed on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriots Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day and potentially on election days. The Kiwanis Club will have applications available at Courthouse Square during the Memorial Day festivities on Monday, May 26.
“The veterans of our country need to be recognized for their service,” said Charlotte Kiwanis Club president, Joseph Stachnik. “This is one of the most appropriate and recognizable ways to do that. The Kiwanis Club is the ideal program to be able to do that.”
The project will also serve as a small fundraiser with the Kiwanis Club and Courthouse Square splitting the proceeds, though Shook doesn’t expect the program to be a real money maker.
For more information or to receive a donation application, visit KiwanisCharlotte.org or call (517) 543-5430. 
