SNOHOMISH — Residents of Snohomish and visitors to the downtown area have 22 new U.S. flags to enjoy while browsing the historic buildings and enjoying sights along First Street.
The flags were presented to the city by the Snohomish Lions, the oldest organization in Snohomish that raises funds throughout the year and gives that money back to the community.
“When the flags and flowers are up it just gives me goosebumps,” said Sue Sullivan, treasurer for the Snohomish Lions and president of the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber had previously been responsible for 60 flags that flew above downtown Snohomish following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
But those flags got beaten and battered.
“Ongoing maintenance issues meant that the former flags had to be taken down,” said Mike Johnson, the city’s parks, facility and fleet supervisor. “They were wrapping up around the light fixtures.”
The poles for the new flags have been extended by two feet so that damage will be lessened.
Johnson received a call from Lions member and Snohomish resident Walt Brickwedel about providing new flags this year.
“I thought about this well over a year ago,” Brickwedel said.
Brickwedel, who has lived in Snohomish for four years, had heard that the previous flags had to be taken down. He decided it was time to resurrect the project and brought the Snohomish Lions onboard.
Brickwedel went online to find good prices for the flags.
“The money came from our budget,” Brickwedel said.
The Snohomish Lions hold fundraisers throughout the year, but their food concession stand held on weekends from April through September at Flower World Nursery earns the most money.
The new flags hang at four intersections on First Street from Union Avenue to Avenue D and will fly 24 hours a day, seven days a week through September.
“I think that it promotes solidarity in the community and gives us a sense of pride in our country,” Brickwedel said.
Johnson believes that the flags make the area more festive and serve as a reminder about what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. He also is grateful to Brickwedel and others in the group for their work on the flag project.
Members of the Snohomish Lions, marking their 80th anniversary, helped the city’s Public Works Department install the flags downtown.
“It’s so overwhelming. The view of First Street to me is pristine,” Sullivan said. “It just makes your heart feel good and makes you feel so proud.”
Christina Harper: 425-339-3491, harper@heraldnet.com.
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