Sparta Lions Club member Bob Sprinkle and his nephew William Skelton erect flags in recognition of Flag Day.

Lions Club honors Flag Day in Sparta

As citizens made their way through town June 14, they were able to see the number of flags that were displayed at many local businesses in honor of Flag Day. For 25 years or more, the Sparta Lions Club has made this show of patriotism possible.

According to a letter sent this March to local businesses, Lion Joe Smyrski explained the flags are displayed six times a year "in memory of nationally recognized people and events and in honor of those brave persons who gave so selflessly of their time — and in many cases, their lives — in the defense of this country."

The first of the six holidays flags are displayed outside businesses is the observance of Memorial Day, this year falling on May 29. Next month, flags will fly in honor of Independence Day (Tuesday, July 4). Flags will also be displayed on Monday, Sept. 4 in honor of Labor Day, Monday, Oct. 9 for the observance of Columbus Day and Saturday, Nov. 11 for Veteran's Day.

According to Lion Oscar "Doc" Evans, members of the club put flags out in front of businesses for the six holidays as a community project for the club. Businesses who display the flag make a $12 yearly donation to the club. The donation, which is tax deductible, goes to support the blind or visually handicapped and other community programs and to the as-needed purchase of flags.

Evans stated that the club typically offers places of business the opportunity to put the flags outside their buildings, as opposed to opening the opportunity to individual homeowners because "if you tried to get out here and get a house here and there, it would be hard to police," he said.

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