A contributed photo from the Rotary club.
DERBY/SHELTON – The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club is inviting Valley folks to raise a flag in honor of their heroes during its annual F’lags for Heroes’ event.
Starting May 27 and running through June 15, the club hopes to fly more than 300 American flags — complete with personalized name medallions — on both the Derby Green and the Shelton Riverwalk.
Anyone interested in sponsoring a flag in the name of a hero, whether it’s a veteran, active service member, first responder, teacher, coach, essential worker, family member or friend, can visit the Flags for Heroes website.
Rotarians said there was so much interest in the first local ‘Flags for Heroes’ last year that they decided to expand by including the Derby Green on Elizabeth Street this year.
“I wanted Derby, it’s my hometown, and I’m extremely proud of our town and know we have many heroes living in Derby,” said Linda Holmes-Hannon, event chairwoman. “The community response was amazing last year. I think everyone who saw the over 200 flags at the Riverwalk were moved. So many people wanted to support and honor the heroes in our lives last year during our first Flags for Heroes. We’ve had so many requests since last year, and we are looking forward to helping honor even more community heroes this year.”
The event will culminate with a ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 10 at the Shelton Riverwalk, where the community is invited to come together to honor all the heroes.
Sponsorships range from $60 for one flag to $2,500 for sponsoring multiple heroes/flags. The deadline to order is May 5. The following sponsorship levels are available:
*$2,500 STARS & STRIPES SPONSOR: Honors 10 heroes. Includes 10 flags with medallions, 5 Heroes t‑shirts, recognition at event, on banner & social media posts
*$1,000 FRIEND OF VETS SPONSOR: Honors 8 heroes. Includes 8 flags, medallions, 4 Heroes t‑shirts, recognition at event, on banner & social media posts
*$500 MEDAL OF HONOR SPONSOR: Honor 6 heroes. Includes 6 flags, medallions, 3 Heroes t‑shirts, recognition at event, on banner & social media posts
*$250 BETSY ROSS SPONSOR: Honor 4 heroes. Includes 4flags, medallions, 2 Heroes t‑shirts, recognition at event, on banner & social media posts
*$60 INDIVIDUAL FLAG SPONSOR: Honor 1 hero. Includes 1 flag and medallion.
All funds raised by the event go back to the Derby and Shelton communities through grants, scholarships for Derby High School and Shelton High School seniors and other community programs, according to Holmes-Hannon.
Lucy Andrade, a volunteer member of the Flags for Heroes Committee, said she honored a nurse from Bridgeport Hospital last year who cared for her dad.
“My hero was nurse Bonnie from Bridgeport Hospital,” Andrade said in a prepared statement. “She took care of my dad during the beginning of COVID. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have had my last conversation with my dear Dad. She will always have a special place in my heart.”
Holmes-Hannon said she was personally inspired to bring the Flags for Heroes event to the Naugatuck Valley after seeing her father-in-law honored at the Wallingford Rotary Club’s Flags for Heroes program in 2021 for his service as a U.S. Marine.
“I was struck with pride and joy and patriotism when my father-in-law was honored,” Holmes-Hannon said. “I know we have many heroes that we need to honor in our communities, and this inspired me to bring this wonderful project here to the Valley.”
More information can be found online at the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club’s website, where you can also download an order form.
Holmes-Hannon can also be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone 203 – 650-2391.
High school students looking to earn community service hours, can contact Lucy Andrade by email at [email protected] or by phone 203 – 258-4519.
