I recently heard that members of the Janesville Patriotic Society were in need of help putting up American flags around the city before Memorial Day. I was surprised to learn this is not done by the employees of the City of Janesville, as I had always assumed.
There were a few of us who heard their call for help and I was glad to be one of many who volunteered to be of service.
A few takeaways that I learned. These flags are paid for by the Janesville Patriotic Society. They can cost approx. $20.00 per flag. The group I was with, put up 18. You can imagine the wear and tear after being up before Memorial Day and into the month of September (taken down after Labor Day).
While talking with Mike Johnson and Pat Riley, I learned these veterans, have serious concerns about who is going to pick up the torch and keep this going in the future. As Mr. Riley explained to me, “It’s not that we want to give it up. In fact…we don’t! But the reality is that we might not have a choice. Most of us (members) are in our 70’s. In 5 years, there’s more than a few of us who will be 80.”
I was more than happy to climb the ladder for Mr. Johnson, but he insisted on having me hold the ladder while he did the climbing!
If you love seeing the American Flags on display around Janesville as much as I do, let’s step up and help out one way or another. This group deserves it.
Send your donations to The Janesville Patriotic Society, P.O. Box 2414, Janesville, WI 53547-2414. Those interested in volunteering should call Mike Johnson at 608-752-1318 or email Patriotic Society President Tom Stehura at toms27 @charter.net.