Can Palm Coast be the most patriotic city in Florida?

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Nikki and Larry White, founders of The American Flag Project, have a goal set for July Fourth to make Palm Coast the most patriotic city in Florida. The Whites started the project after Nikki awoke one morning and said, “Larry all we’ve got to do is put flags in front of people.” The thought came after watching a TV program from 2008 where research was done by large universities that studied the influence of the American flag. According to this study, it was proven that the presence of the flag increased voter participation. Nikki hopes to do the same and make Palm Coast the most patriotic city in Florida.

As a young girl, Nikki would watch parades. Whenever she would see an American flag she would get choked up and realize those are positive patriotic feelings. As Nikki explained how the flag affected her as a child, she relived those feelings and was choked up once again.

American Flag etiquette

The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.

The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.

The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms.

To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

“Wow I haven’t done that for a while,” said Nikki as she laughed. “I thought I desensitized myself with all these flags and it’s not working.”

After Nikki’s project idea, a year and a half ago, the Whites started to brainstorm. As an entrepreneur, Larry thought far outside the box and wanted to set a goal to give out 1,000,000 flags a year, realizing quickly that would be hard to implement.

To kick off the project, Nikki never went empty handed when riding her bike; she would hand out flags to people who were outside.

Soon after starting The American Flag Project, Nikki heard about Conley Court: A street with 27 homes and 27 3-by-5-foot American flags along each mailbox. When she saw Conley Court she said, “This is what we’ve got to do, we’ve got to find a way to keep this going.”

The White’s have been handing out waivers, participating at Flagler Beach’s First Friday and have set up 22 jars full of flags throughout Palm Coast. Although the flags are free, the White’s do ask for a donation so they can purchase more flags to spread across Palm Coast.

As the Fourth of July approaches, Nikki realized they needed a short term goal. She hopes that they can have American flags all over town and have Palm Coast recognized as Florida’s most patriotic city.

Nikki stands strong on only handing out flags made in America. Most of the poles though, come from China. Exceptions are made for special orders. Regrettably the American made poles that are more expensive are out of budget for the project. The Whites have started The American Flag Project paying costs up front out of their own pockets and rely on donations to replenish mailbox flags. Nikki hopes to one day start a pole making company where Disabled American Veterans and locals who are still unemployed can work.

The Whites hope to make their goal for July Fourth and on June 21 they will be receiving a proclamation from the City of Palm Coast.

The American Flag Project is looking for a patriotic benefactor before July Fourth to make Palm Coast the most patriotic city so they can purchase 1,000 mailbox flags. If you’d like to be that $500 benefactor or would just like to donate visit theamericanflagproject.org.