|
|
|
PITTSBURG —
Most people celebrate the Fourth of July by setting off fireworks and sparklers and listening to patriotic music in the municipal park.
Hank and Jake Cloninger probably will do that as well, but they took a couple hours early Tuesday morning to make sure Pittsburg residents remember one of the deeper reasons for celebrating the nation’s birthday. They planted a Field of Flags with 116 miniature American flags at the west end of Pittsburg State University’s Veterans’ Memorial Amphitheater. They also have helped build the Avenue of Flags in Highland Park Cemetery.
The idea came from Steve Robb, who asked them if they were interested in the project when they were at church at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday. Robb said he had been passing through Kansas City and saw a similar display along I-35 on Veterans’ Day last year.
“It was so dramatic and impressive that I thought we ought to try that on the berm at the memorial,” said Robb, who bought the flags when the amphitheater opened and plants them near sidewalks on patriotic holidays. “I thought, ‘This time, I’m going to do something different.”
The Cloningers thought it was a good idea, too.
“It seemed interesting to see how it would all play in, and it’s the Fourth of July,” Hank said, adding that the display reminds him of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. “It’s so people will know that freedom isn’t free.”
Robb said the brothers, who both have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, were eager to help.
“They didn’t even hesitate,” Robb said. “They said, “Once you get the approval, we’re there. They’re just two great young men, and model young citizens. I can’t say enough good things about them.”
Most people celebrate the Fourth of July by setting off fireworks and sparklers and listening to patriotic music in the municipal park.
Hank and Jake Cloninger probably will do that as well, but they took a couple hours early Tuesday morning to make sure Pittsburg residents remember one of the deeper reasons for celebrating the nation’s birthday. They planted a Field of Flags with 116 miniature American flags at the west end of Pittsburg State University’s Veterans’ Memorial Amphitheater. They also have helped build the Avenue of Flags in Highland Park Cemetery.
The idea came from Steve Robb, who asked them if they were interested in the project when they were at church at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday. Robb said he had been passing through Kansas City and saw a similar display along I-35 on Veterans’ Day last year.
“It was so dramatic and impressive that I thought we ought to try that on the berm at the memorial,” said Robb, who bought the flags when the amphitheater opened and plants them near sidewalks on patriotic holidays. “I thought, ‘This time, I’m going to do something different.”
The Cloningers thought it was a good idea, too.
“It seemed interesting to see how it would all play in, and it’s the Fourth of July,” Hank said, adding that the display reminds him of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. “It’s so people will know that freedom isn’t free.”
Robb said the brothers, who both have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, were eager to help.
“They didn’t even hesitate,” Robb said. “They said, “Once you get the approval, we’re there. They’re just two great young men, and model young citizens. I can’t say enough good things about them.”
