The Exchange Club of Mesquite has retired its 10th Annual 1000 Flags Over Mesquite. Although the Exchange Club hosts the event in recognition of the service and sacrifice our men and women of the military have given, it would not be possible without the overwhelming support from our community.
The day of initial setup is a sight to behold as volunteers arrive in such numbers that the flags were again positioned in slightly over 2 hours! Because of who and what the flags represent, the continuous watch then begins by members of this community who diligently sit with our flags no matter the weather, no matter the hour. When the field is retired, most of these same people are again on hand to help. Without the dedication of these neighbors this event would not be possible. Our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you.
The businesses in our community who have helped us financially are, without a doubt, the backbone of this event and its goal of helping our local veterans. Those event sponsors for 2015 are: Eureka Hotel & Casino; Bank of Nevada; John and Judy Lonetti; America First Credit Union; Will & Grace; H&R Block; Mesquite Veterinary Clinic; Hangey’s Custom Upholstery; City of Mesquite; Mesquite Tile & Flooring; Linda Muse; Farmers Insurance Bill Mitchell Agency and View on Mesquite. A heartfelt thank you also goes to those who visited our field and sponsored a flag. The pictures attached to the flags and the personalization on the purple ribbons make a walk through the field so very moving.
Thank you to the First Baptist Church for generously donating the use of the sound system and Jennifer Conklin for so graciously monitoring its operation during both our ceremonies. Thanks also to Charlie and Tatiana Sellner of City Shoppes Embroidery for their talent and ever appreciated assistance. Our flags have a safe and dry home when not on display thanks to Mesquite Self Storage and we are so grateful. The flags were put away literally moments before the rain began on Sunday! Thank you also goes to Dennis and Jutta Normoyle and Nick Montoya, Director of Athletics and Leisure Services for positioning the flag that graced the side of the Recreation Center in loving memory of Don Muse. It greatly enhances the event and provides a wonderful view from the freeway.
Thank you to all of our program participants of both ceremonies who gave of their time and talent to help us celebrate this annual event. This year saw an increase in youth participation with both the Girl and Boy Scouts offering to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the LDS Youth Stake in the National Anthem. One goal of this event is to pass on to our young people the heritage of patriotism and respect for those men and women who have or are serving our country. A special thank you to the LDS Mesquite Stake Youth for providing the hot chocolate and donuts to our audience and specifically our veterans in attendance. It was such a welcome addition on that rather chilly night. We also wish to recognize and offer our humble gratitude to the media for its coverage throughout the week.
The Exchange Club of Mesquite and in particular the flag committee extends its heartfelt THANK YOU for the part you all played. See you next year!!
Thousand flags over Mesquite is an amazing tribute to our veterans. It is because of the sacrifice of our men and women that I am able to provide and run the sound system for this program. I am honored to be asked to participate each year.