KIWANIS CLUB HELPS NICEVILLE-AREA HOME OWNERS FLY THE FLAG

        There’s an easy, affordable way to fly the flag at your home on each of our nation’s patriotic holidays without ever owning a flag and never putting up a flag pole. As an added bonus, while you are displaying your patriotic pride and spirit, you are also supporting youth-oriented civic activities in the Niceville area.

        For a tax-deductible contribution of only $35 per year, the Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club will fly a flag at your home on President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day through Sept. 11, Veteran’s Day, and Martin Luther King Day.

        The American Flag Display Program is a unique community fund-raiser allowing residents in Niceville, Valparaiso and Bluewater to show their pride in America, honor our troops and fallen heroes, and enjoy the splendor and beauty of the Stars and Stripes without ever owning a flag or flag pole.

        “We buy the flag, we put it up before the holiday, we take it down after the holiday, we take care of all maintenance and storage,” explained Bill Brunkow, member of the Kiwanis Club and head of the flag project.

        The flags, which measure three feet by five feet, are flown on a10-foot metal pole inserted in a PVC in-ground holder. The flag poles and American flags are put up a day or two before each of the seven designated patriotic holidays and are removed two or three days following the holiday.

        “We do it all. The only time the homeowner has to give any thought to this is when it’s renewal time,” said Brunkow.

        Club members sink the flag holder in the ground -- wherever the homeowner wishes -- and cap it off at ground level. It is installed using a handheld power auger, so there is no digging, and lawns are not damaged. It is installed when the homeowner signs up to take part in the flag display program and is left in place as long as he or she chooses to participate.

        Club members carefully detail on paper the location of the unobtrusive holder so homeowners don’t have to be asked to point it out when the time arrives to display the flag.

        Approximately 250 local homes are taking part in the program, which is now beginning its fifth year. Brunkow said he is hopeful that number will continue to grow, perhaps to 500, or more.

        In some instances several homes in a single neighborhood are taking part, such as in the Lancaster Drive and Nelson Point Road areas, just east of the Rocky Bayou Bridge.

        “It really looks good to see all of those flags flying,” said Jim Lindsey, a club member and volunteer in the program.

        He said once one home in a neighborhood displays the flag it is not unusual for neighbors to learn about the Kiwanis flag program and want to take part.

        “It can be infectious,” said Lindsey, adding he hopes more neighborhoods opt to show their patriotic pride.

        “It’s a ‘win-win’ fund-raiser,” said Wayne Shimet, club member and one of the public contacts for the program. “It serves a good cause and the profits are plowed right back into the community.”

        The Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club supports a number of local youth-oriented civic projects and activities. Among them are high school and middle school programs aimed at getting students involved in public service.

        Shimet believes flying the flag at home on patriotic holidays helps to instill a sense of pride in the community and inspires the younger generation.

        “It shows patriotism and it’s good for kids to see that,” he said.

        If you would like to take part in the program and fly the flag at your home call Brunkow at 897-4396 or Shimet at 678-4383.