Defiance County's "Moon Shot"

Dave Hire (2 minutes)

“We choose to go to the moon…Not because (it) is easy, but because (it) is hard.”

President John F. Kennedy, 1962

It’s been nearly a year and a half since Defiance County Economic Development announced our own “moon shot”, Four Flags Of Freedom.  Our goal was to erect four massive American flags along US 24 in Defiance. The flags will be positioned along four exits of US 24, near Promedica Defiance Regional Hospital, Werlor Waste Control, Keller Logistics, and the Premier Bank operations center.

If you’ve been following the Four Flags of Freedom story, you may already know what each flag represents. One flag is for those who are currently serving in the military; One is for those who made it home safely; One for those who were injured in combat; And one for the men and women who never made it home. It adds up to a truly moving statement of patriotism and love of country that everyone visiting or traveling through Defiance will see.

We’re also excited to announce a Four Flags of Freedom dedication ceremony scheduled, appropriately, for Flag Day, Friday, June 14. What an incredible way to celebrate making our Four Flags “moon shot” real!

We determined at the time that $200,000 would be needed to make Four Flags Of Freedom happen. Thanks to your generous donations and pledges both large and small, we are only a few thousand dollars away from our goal! (The total as of the writing of this blog: $166, 875.)

Donors may still purchase plaques to honor loved ones who have served. The proceeds from these plaques will go to a fund to help area veterans expand or start businesses.

The Four Flags financial picture is looking great, but now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. After all four flags are up and flying, we will still need money for ongoing maintenance and upkeep for the flag sites. So, if you’re asking if Four Flags Of Freedom still needs your financial support, the answer is “Yes”.

If you want to be part of Defiance County’s very own “Great Adventure”, you can support Four Flags Of Freedom at fourflagsoffreedom.com.