To honor
our Troops fighting the War on terrorism, The Broad Channel Fire Department
along with the American Legion Post 1404 wanted to show their support for
our men and women overseas.
In 2003, The Sons Commander, Edward O’Hare,
led a campaign to raise enough funds to purchase American Flags to fly on
every telephone pole throughout the community of Broad Channel Queens, NY.
It was an extraordinary undertaking to accomplish this act of Americanism.
350 flag kits were purchased at a cost of $35.00 each, totaling $12,500.00.
With the
help of our local Volunteer Fire Department approximately $10,000.00 was
raised through donations of the generous residents and businesses around
Broad Channel. The remaining shortfall was donated from The Sons general
account.
The
project’s original intention was to line only the 185 telephone poles along
“Crossbay Blvd”, however people were sending in donations generously. We
decided to go ahead and do all the side streets as well. We asked our
residents for a $20.00 donation to Adopt-a-Flag.
The
Sons of the American Legion Advisor, George Barr, said “Before 911, Broad
Channel residents always flew their American Flags proudly, and with this in
the background, it makes the American Flag on each pole look even more
spectacular”.
The flags
were taken down after Labor Day weekend and our local dry cleaners “Galaxy
Cleaner’s in Howard Beach” cleaned them all free of charge. This in itself
was a big donation.
In 2003
we also had enemies.
Hurricane Isabel and the 2 other big storms that year did a number on our
project. Over 75 flags were destroyed and many were repaired by the Lady’s
Auxiliary. Steve Albert said “We tried our best to replace them all”
but flags in these elements have about a life expectancy of a year with the
heavy winds, and the sun’s fading conditions.
The Broad
Channel Volunteers and The American Legion will donate their time and effort
to keep this “Flag Program” flying from Memorial Day throughout Labor Day
each year.
On
Memorial Day 2004 the flags were flying again. We purchased 75 flags on May
28, 2004 for a sum of $1,275.00 which was raised from a “Night at the Races”
affair at the Legion Post.
This
project also gave new life to the Sons of the American Legion. We gained
over 20 new members, reported Membership Chairman P.C. Robert O’Hare. We
would also like to thank the Sons of the American Legion from the
Continental Post 1424, in Forest Hills Queens NY, for their $100.00
donation.
Now
“Memorial Day” 2005.
This year it was decided that to continue this act of Americanism we will
only line Cross-Bay Blvd’s 185 poles in Broad Channel.
After the
extremely windy conditions over the past two years, we agreed it’s not
feasible to continue the side blocks. If individuals do want a flag on
their block, it will be up to them to purchase and maintain it. If they
need any additional assistance, please contact the Legion.
This year
we are asking for a $20.00 donation to purchase approximately 110 new
American Flags. We will post the names this year of individuals who donate
on our Broad Channel web sites. For more information please visit
www.americanlegionpost1404.com or links on
www.broadchannel.org. Checks can be made out to “American
Legion Post 1404 Flag Program”. Mailing address: 209 Cross-Bay Blvd - Broad
Channel NY 11693
Send to the address above or give to a local Legionnaire.
