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Flag Day
Where Do the Flags Come From?
By Lion George Culp
Our Lions Club brochure asks this question as we seek other contracts in areas where flags are already displayed. However, there is more to the story of Concord Lions Club flag display. Our display on Flag Day will begin the club’s 55th year of displaying flags in Concord. The following information is derived from club and board minutes stored in the Flag Hut. But first, I little club history is in order.
On Tuesday Night August 9th 1932, a group of Concord businessmen received their charter and became the Concord Lions Club. According to an article from the Concord Tribune, it was a gala banquet in the ballroom of the Hotel Concord which became the meeting location for over 70 years. A news article from July 1964 in the Concord Tribune by Ed Readling, Tribune Staff Writer offered the following.
All fund raising activities were aimed toward the major Lions Club activity – aid to the blind. In addition to its work with the blind, Lions found many civic needs to occupy their time.
During the lean days of the depression they gathered old but useful clothing and shoes for the needy. They opened the first YMCA swimming pool in Concord and held the first Easter Egg Hunt. Local Boy Scouts received much attention from the Lions Club also.
In 1935, the records continues, local Lions cooperated with other agencies to sponsor construction of a grandstand at the new Webb Field. Local boxing fans apparently had a field day in the Concord area then as Lions sponsored numerous prize fights to help pay for the new stands.
The flag project began in November 1963 when Lion Bill Sloop, who had been formulating plans for a flag project reported his findings and made the following recommendation: That the Club purchase flags and mountings and provide them to the merchants of Concord on National flag days on a fee basis. He suggested that the plan be launched after the UCDC drive and Christmas holidays were over. Lion Ray Kluttz (now 93 years old and still a member) moved and WC Ledford seconded that the Club adopt this project. The motion carried. Note: Howard Smith was President.
By January 14, 1964 the project was underway with Lion Bill Sloop outlining some of the requirements that would need to be met in order to establish the project successfully and keep it going from year to year. Before any definite moves were made, Lion Sloop and President Howard Smith were asked to contact the president of the Merchants Association to present the idea and try to secure the Associations co-operation.
In February of the same year, Lion Bill Sloop reported that the flag committee had met and decided to order a sample flag set to show to possible subscribers when enrolling merchants for participation in their new flag program. A sample flag kit of the type proposed by the Flag Committee to be used in supplying merchants on a contract basis for the National Holidays was displayed. The cost of the kit was $8.50 plus the cost of shipment was selected. On a motion by Wallace Early, seconded by Harold Mills, the Board voted to recommend to the Club membership that this project be adopted and that a committee be created to administer the project.
In April of 1964, Lion Bill Sloop, Chairman, gave a report on the Flag Project and distributed team assignments of Lions to contact merchants to seek contracts. By May of that year, Bill Sloop reported that several contracts for displaying flags had been sold and the first display was planned for June 14. On motion by Jack Alston, seconded by Wallace Early, the Board voted to display the flags on that date at no charge to the merchants and others who had bought contracts, so that the billing could be set up in July and done on a fiscal basis.
In May of 1964 all members were requested to turn over contracts received for flag display to the Club treasurer. There were now 22 in the record and the club ordered 50 flags. Then in June 1964, Lion L.B. McEachern, Jr, announced that were 43 contracts for flags and that plans were underway for the drilling of proper holes in the various locations, and that the first display should be accomplished Sunday, June 14 (1964). Just a week before the display, it was announced by Lion John Wells that 48 contracts for the display of flags had been secured and that the City of Concord was nearly finished with the placement of sockets in the sidewalks to hold these flags.
A report on July 7, 1964 indicates that the July 4th display was very successful with nine men displaying 56 flags. Each man spent 3 hours working with flags July 4th. John Wells asked that a letter be written to the Mayor of Concord, Board of Aldermen, and City Engineer thanking them for the work they had done for the Club, also telling them that Lions would display a flag in front of City Hall free of charge which is true today. It was reported in the club minutes the project would be a part of the club’s goals for Lions year 1964-65. The effort was described as a success by the following comment; Concord looked like it was a patriotic town for the 1st time since the War.
The Flag Project continued to be reported in club minutes of 1964. The club members received training by American Legion members who illustrated the proper way the flag should be handled and folded and also explained the rules governing its display and care. Also, in an August report, it was suggested a letter be written to the County Commissioners stating that the Concord Lions Club would display a flag in front of the County Courthouse free of charge. Lion Norman Alston asked that a flag be displayed in front of the post office in order that all the Government Buildings would have a flag displayed by the Lions.
By September of 1964 there were 71 contracts and a location was needed to store the flags. Lion Harold Mills offered a basement location under Mill’s Florist. Note: Lion Harold was responsible for the flag storing locations until this year (2019).
On September 15, 1964 President Jack Alston had his goal to have 100 flags on contract by the end of the year and the Wil-Mar Park Lions Club decided to sell flags to their area.
Then in January 1965, Lion John Wells, chairman of the Flag Project stated that we had 100 flags on contract. These flags were displayed 10 times a year by the club members on legal holidays. The fee for this service, $10 per year. At the one year anniversary of the project, contracts totaled 122.
Today, Concord Lions display over 500 flags to customers for $30/year, on ten display dates provided weather permitting. The flags are also displayed at other events at the request of city, county, Boy Scouts, etc. Funds from the profits are used to support the following:
- Eye Screening
- Glasses
- Eye Surgeries
- Support blind campers to N C Lions Retreat Center on Lake Norman
- Support blind fishers to the VIP Fishing Tournament at OBX
- Christmas Party for the Blind
- Summer Picnic for the Blind
- Meals on Wheels
- Provide four year $1000 scholarship to Concord High graduate who has a focus on service to others.
Often, while placing the flags, residents stop and thank the volunteers. As Lions of Concord, WE SERVE and proudly display the flags for community pride while helping others with the proceeds.