Mt RUSHMORE & WW2 FLAGS TO APPEAR AFTER MEMORIAL DAY PARADE & CEREMONY

By Bob Lessard. Commander/Historian 

Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion 

Published May 23, 2019 

After Memorial Day ceremonies on the town hall lawn on Monday, May 27, town residents are invited to help hold two special American flags, the Mt. Rushmore and WW2 48 star flag. Both flags measure 45 by 90 feet and their appearance is sponsored by the Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary and is also observing the town’s 350th. 

In conjunction with Mark Valentine of Halifax, the curator of the National Flag Exhibit, the flags will be positioned on the town hall for photographic opportunities as citizens hold them. 

News releases describe Mr. Valentine’s involvement with the “90 foot, 300 pound flags transported aboard the United States National Flag Truck, which he drives.”  The huge flags have been involved in numerous intergovernmental presentations over the past 30 years. 

The special flatbed truck, which is observing its 30th Anniversary, has seen service all over the world since 1989. The U.S. Department of Transportation was involved with the special truck designed to be part of the flag displays. The operation of the truck and its maintenance is accomplished through private donations, companies and organizations. 

According to Mr. Valentine, the truck carries a special cherry chest to carry the Mt. Rushmore flag. He said each town in Plymouth County donated pieces of cherry wood to make the chest. It once was stored aboard the U.S.S. Constitution, he reported. A news release revealed that the “historic cherry chest has traveled to over 30 countries.” 

Among the historic places, where the Flag Truck and its precious cargo has appeared, was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1991 at 7:55 a.m. to observe the 50th year of the attack. In 1993, it went with the United States Army on a winter expedition to the Arctic Circle. And, it became “the first American truck to pass under the English Channel, through the Channel Tunnel” on June 6th, 1994 the 50th D-Day observation of the invasion. 

 In a note to this writer, Mr. Valentine wrote that: “Every place mentioned, the truck carried both the Rushmore flag and the WW2 48 star flag.” Also, he revealed the truck, while equipped with truck tires, also has wheels designed to run on railroad tracks. 

 During Middleboro’s 325th celebration townspeople carried and displayed the huge flags. 

The Memorial Day parade starts at 10 a.m. to be led by Grand Marshall Fletcher Clark, Jr. Parade participants are asked to arrive at the Town Hall parking lot at least 30 minutes before the 10 a.m. step-off. Following the parade, a Memorial Day ceremony will be conducted on the town hall lawn. Shortly after the ceremony, the special flag display and photo session will take place.