'A real community story': Midway residents honor veterans with 250 flags on Memorial Hill

MIDWAY — What happens when you combine community engagement, 250 flags and a milestone anniversary for the country? A mile-long line of flags lighting up Memorial Hill in Midway to honor current and former military members.

Midway City Councilman Andrew Osborne first came up with the idea in January when he was placed on the city's America 250 committee.

"Memorial Hill is really special and kind of undervalued in Midway. Some people walk there, but a lot of people don't go there, and I'm a big supporter and believer of our veterans, our military, and it's think it's super unique," he said.

So the Memorial Hill Flag Legacy Event was born.

"Generally, its been if you are a veteran, then come. But this is help celebrate America 250, come be a part of seeing our city from a new perspective through these flags that are celebrating the city, and pay attention to our veterans and military while you're there. People have really had a renewed vigor," he said.

On June 13, volunteers gathered with the City Council to put together the flag bases and solar lights that would be needed for installation. Then on June 15, dozens of people showed up at Memorial Hill to help post the 250 flags along the walking path after a short patriotic program that included a speech by retired U.S. Air Force Col. Jon Creer.

"It's great to talk about and celebrate America, but truth being, without the military and our veterans that have provided support from the Revolutionary War all the way through, there would be no America. So I'm really passionate about the role of our veterans and current military and preserving what we know as America," Osborne said.

Alternating between the America 250 commemoration flag and a Betsy Ross style flag with "250" in the middle of the circle of stars, the flags are lit up by solar lights, making a "compelling visual" that is quite a beautiful view at night, Osborne said.

As of now, the flags will stay up through July 11, but Osborne is hoping he can work with the county to extend it through Pioneer Day.

In total, the community raised $65,000 in less than a month to pay for the flags, the bases, the lights and a plaque memorializing the event. Osborne said it has been a special experience seeing so many community members come together to honor veterans and America.

"This is honestly about the community that really came together, backed it with a substantial sum, time and volunteer efforts and has been unbelievably well received," he said.

Giving the community the chance to take part in making the memorial gave the event more depth and connection, he said. When the flags come down, the people who bought them will place them in their yards so the celebration of America and the legacy of memorial can continue, Osborne added.

"I don't want to lose the feeling of community that people have and engagement that people have for something that maybe has felt a little stale."

Osborne has been touched seeing so many people visit Memorial Hill each day since the flags were installed to pay their respects to veterans.

Each day he visits to check on the flags and ensure the lights are properly working. He also takes the opportunity to interact with anyone on the hill as the flags have engaged community members from all walks of life, not just veterans.

"We've engaged our veterans and community that came up and physically took the time to plant the flags on the hill, and that is a story," Osborne said. "It's a real community story, more than just, you know, cool flags on the hill."

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