Hanna Flea Market to help flags

On holidays of rememberence such as July 4, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the town of Hanna has an "Avenue of Flags" which extends about a mile down WY 72 from the bridge to the Hanna Recreation Center.

Given the wind of northern Carbon County, the 50 plus flags wave strongly.

For years the flags care keeper was Penny Sager from the American Women's Auxiliary, but when she passed away a couple years ago, the flags were put in the care of the town. A year ago, Darla Baker was driving down the road and she had a shock.

"It was June 14, which is National Flag Day, and as I drove down the road, there was not a flag to be seen," Baker said. "It made me angry. So I went to the advisory committee of the Senior Center and told them. Then about three months ago, Jon (Ostling) went to the town to offer to help. The town turned the whole works over to us."

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution, stated: "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

As time went on, the flag changed and the country grew larger.

A grade school teacher in Waubeka, Wisconsin 1885, Bernard Cigrand, first recognized formal observance of Flag Day at the Stony Hill School. Cigrand is generally credited with being the "Father of Flag Day," with the Chicago Tribune putting forth he almost singlehandedly established the holiday.

Perhaps the oldest continuing Flag Day parade is in Fairfield, Washington. Beginning in 1909 or 1910, Fairfield has held a parade every year since, with the exceptions of 1918 and 2020.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. On August 3, 1949, National Flag Day was established by an an act of Congress. Flag Day is not an actual official federal holiday, however, it is at the president's discretion to officially proclaim the observance. On June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state.During National Flag Week, the president will usually issue a proclamation "Urging the people to observe the day as the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States of America."

The flag is displayed on all government buildings.

In Hanna, thanks to the Hanna Senior Center, over 30 flags will be displayed alongside the road.

Unfortunately flags have a life span, especially in a wind prone town like Hanna.

The senior center is trying to remedy this. July 30 there will be a flea market to raise funds for the purchase of new flags.

"The spaces are $10 a piece whether they bring a table of sell out their car," Baker said. "There are about 20 spots. People keep what they make, but we will have any funds collected by the spaces will go towards purchasing more flags."

Baker, who is the activities director for the Hanna Senior Center said the town's seniors are very active whether it is fundraising for flags or having a bingo night for all residents to attend. She said the seniors of Hanna are very committed to helping the community.

"I appreciate all the help I am getting from the seniors and everyone else, to keep the flags going," Baker said. "It means a lot to people in Carbon County to see those flags waving in the wind on our special holidays."