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Clubs to expand Avenue of Flags

ALPENA — Last year the Alpena Kiwanis Club and Alpena Booster Club partnered to make the Avenue of Flags a reality. After seeing how popular the project was, they are set to expand it in a big way.

At Monday’s Alpena Municipal Council meeting council voted 5-0 to allow phase two of the project to begin. A new tunnel of flags will be made that will be known as Alpena’s Flags of Honor trail and will honor veterans who are living or deceased.

The new row of flags will begin at the bridge on Chisholm Street, run along the bi-path and through Duck Park to Long Rapids Road. The Avenue of Flags on Washington Avenue will continue as in the past.

Kiwanis President Judy Greer said it always was the intention of the clubs to have flags that are available to honor all veterans, but chose to include only those at Little Flanders as the way to begin. After seeing the popularity of the Avenue of Flags, both clubs believed the time was right to expand now.

“We always knew we wanted to expand, but we had to start somewhere, and after seeing how it was received by the community it made sense to do it this year,” Greer said. “We had a lot of people who wanted to honor a father, brother or friend last year and now this will really open it up to many more people. There should be a lot more flags and be even more impressive than what it was.”

Last year the clubs sold sponsorships for the veterans who died and are enshrined at Little Flander’s Field and American flags honoring each lined the bi-path near the Thunder Bay River on Washington Avenue. The Avenue of Flags was on display on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriots Day and Veteran’s Day and became a popular. Greer said the flags at both locations will be up for the same holidays this year. She said there were several locations considered, but having them on a main street through town and on the river provides maximum exposure.

“They will run along the river, by the wooden bridge and right through the park,” she said.

The City of Alpena has been a big supporter of the project and she said both clubs look forward to continuing to work closely with staff and the council as the project moves forward.

Greer said sponsorships is $50 per flag per year. It will include the flag, along with a nameplate the flag is placed in. She said people wanting to sponsor a veteran can do so by calling her at 354-3543 or 590-0780. She said there also is a form to fill out on the Kiwanis website www.alpena.kiwanisone.org. Hit the projects link and select Alpena Flag Project.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.

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