UPDATE May 8, 1:50 p.m The “Walk of Flags” name has been changed to the “Troop Tribute” according to Staci Miller.
BROKEN BOW—Red, white, and blue will hopefully fill the Broken Bow city square in late July. Staci Miller and Becky Denson with the Cobblestone and Boarders hotels appeared before the park board on Monday evening to discuss the Walk of Flags. Miller and Denson explained that the two hotels were tasked with creating an activity that would bring unity and pride to the community.
The staff brainstormed and kept returning to the military and local families. A fundraiser will be held to help local military families via care packages and donations to families experiencing hard times.
“As a team our hotels are heading a community-building fundraiser to support local families who are serving and who have served, as well as the deployed troops,” Miller said.
The community will have the opportunity to purchase an American flag (12” x 18”) with a nameplate in honor of a loved one who has served in the military. The idea is for those flags to line the city square beginning the end of July and remain for the week of the County Fair.
Proceeds from the flag sales will go toward care packages to troops and donations to families to help with bills and groceries. A free-will donation watermelon feed is also scheduled to take place in the square the night of the Custer County parade. The Walk of Flags is still in the early stages of planning, according to Denson, and the two women will also present to the city council on Tuesday.
“Our goal in this project is to increase our community and military support, and community bonding in support of our military,” Miller said.
The park board supported the idea and suggested flag placement be avoided on the north side of the square and the playground area.
Also during Monday’s park board meeting, Parks Superintendent Darren Marten discussed a possible softball tournament at Melham in early July. Field #3 will soon have 90 foot bases and the sod that will need to be removed will be re-purposed for patching needs, according to Marten. The city pool has been filled, park restrooms are up and running, grasses and fields are being maintained, fertilized, and sprayed for weeds. Marten said seasonal staff have begun working and he also discussed the possibility of adding additional RV stalls at Tomahawk.
Park Board members in attendance included Lindsay Divan, Paul Holland, Sandy Bates, and Ryan Vonderohe. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
The next Park Board Meeting will be on June 4 at 5:10 p.m.
