CRESTVIEW — The City Council unanimously approved Friends of the Arts’ proposal to create a display of 12 historic and military branch service flags to enhance Warriors Hall for the city’s centennial.
The proposed display would have flags for each of the six military branches on the west wall and six flags representing political entities that historically ruled the Crestview area on the east wall.
A March 14 FOTA memo credits Fire Chief Joe Traylor as the proposal's inspiration: Shortly after the city acquired the former church, Traylor suggested the service flags be displayed, the memo stated.
Service branch flags would be hung in chronological order of each branch's establishment, beginning at the rear of the hall with the U.S. Merchant Marine flag and continuing with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force flags.
Historic flags would begin with the Muskogee (Creek) Nation, then continue with the Spanish colonial, British colonial, Republic of West Florida, United States and Confederate States flags. To avoid controversy, the Confederate States of America’s first national flag would be used instead of the battle flag.
The Friends’ proposal calls for sponsors of each flag, which costs $200, including pole, mounting hardware and identifying plaques. The plaques would be mounted below each flag and would recognize the sponsor and identify each flag.
“Service branch flags could also be dedicated to a veteran, either in his/her honor or his/her memory,” the FOTA memo states.
Public Works facilities workers will mount the display as soon as funding for all 12 flags is obtained and the flags can be ordered, Schwartz said.
Ten 5- by 3-foot service branch or historic flags proposed for Warriors Hall need sponsorships. (Two flags, the U.S. Merchant Marine and the Muskogee Nation, have already been donated.) Sponsorships are $200 per flag and include pole, mounting hardware and a descriptive plaque. Sponsorship forms will be available at the city clerk’s office in City Hall or from Friends of the Arts President Rae Schwartz, bakerny@yahoo.com, beginning March 28.
WANT TO HELP?
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Historic, military service flags proposed for Warriors Hall