The Flags for Heroes will be along the Riverfront until Nov. 12.
Those exercising or taking a leisurely stroll along the Wilmington Riverfront will notice something a little different until Nov. 12 – a line of more than 350 American flags.
The Rotary Club of Wilmington unveiled its annual Flags for Heroes display this past weekend, which is meant to pay tribute to heroes, from military personnel to teachers to first responders and more.
They’ll fly along the Riverfront until the day after Veterans Day, and are expected to be seen by thousands of walkers and runners who frequent the path.
The tradition is more than a decade old, and people can honor someone of their choice by making a contribution to the Rotary Club’s Services Foundation.
“We’ve defined heroes pretty broadly, whatever kind of hero the contributor might want to remember or recognize is welcomed,” said Lynn Jones, president of the Rotary Club of Wilmington.
He said the community has really welcomed the flags each year.
“It just adds a lot, it’s a pretty striking walk, along the riverfront,” he said, “and I think it might just give one more reason for people to spend just a little bit more time or make the trip to see the flags. It’s pretty cool to see them lined up like that for that long of a distance.”
He pointed out that in previous elections, media companies have enjoyed doing their reporting in front of the Riverfront with the backdrop of the line of American flags and expects the same in this election year.
Dozens of volunteers helped install the flags over the weekend.
“I just encourage people to take the time to get down and experience the beautiful walk, it’s amazing how the Riverfront has developed over the years,” Jones said. “It’s a great spot down there, and the flags just add another dimension.”
Jones, whose background is in healthcare, said it’s a great experience for someone to have a healthy outing like walking or biking while also taking in the flags and the heroes – no matter how large or small – that they represent.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
