Citizens of the Week: United We Stand members and volunteers

Published 11:38 pm Friday, May 28, 2010

Ever wonder where all those American flags that somehow show up on the Whitfield County Courthouse lawn and down King Street several times a year come from?

The periodic display began nearly 20 years ago during Operation Desert Shield, and were the result of an initial trio of local residents called United We Stand — Marsha Whitener, Jim Chamblee and Shirley Childs — who were searching for a meaningful way for fellow community members to show their patriotism. Today that group has grown exponentially to include many members and volunteers whose mission is to honor military veterans and make clear how proud Daltonians are of their country.

The first Avenue of Flags was posted on Memorial Day in 1991 by members of Charlie Company, Dalton’s National Guard unit. According to Whitener, 558 American flags stood tall that day. But the group didn’t start out with that idea.

“Our original focus was to get local citizens to show their patriotism daily by displaying flags at their homes and businesses,” she wrote in a March 4, 2009, letter to the editor. “As our organization grew, JoAnn Shirley joined and informed us she had gone before the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners in earlier years and got permission to have an Avenue of Flags. However, there was not a plan in action to accomplish that goal.”

The goal was achieved a few months later and surpassed expectations, she said, with more than double the number of flags flying than what was initially hoped for. Even now there remains a waiting list for families who wish to purchase a flag in honor of loved ones with honorable service in any military conflict or those who made serving their career. The flags are displayed six times a year.

In 2007, a median was added to King Street which now accommodates 175 additional flags. Those killed in action and POW/MIAs are “represented in the flags that form the sunburst design that radiates from the main veterans’ memorial at the corner of Selvidge and Crawford streets,” Whitener said.

For their continual work to remember veterans, The Daily Citizens names United We Stand members and volunteers Citizens of the Week.