An avenue of flags to unite the community

Bob Burkman, member, Optimist Club of Centerville, Ohio says that if there is one thing that can unite a community, it's the US flag. Doing what Optimist Clubs do best - bring people together in a sense of community, the Centerville Optimist Club placed 1,000 flags today making an Avenue of Flags for the 4th of July celebration. According to Fox News, more than 75,000 visitors will be drawn to Centerville today to celebrate the Americana Festival.

You'd better believe those flags will be front and center. Well done, Optimists! That's a great way to inspire patriotism in the community. Happy Independence Day to all!.

Optimist Club hosts Avenue of Flags program in Knoxville

The Optimist Club of Knoxville, Tennessee has an Avenue of Flags program. On every national holiday, Optimist Club members rise early and decorate the city with the American flag and return in the evening to take them down and store until the next occasion. Businesses and homeowners sponsor the project by paying for an annual subscription and by doing so, the community service project turns into a fundraiser for the club.

Like any Optimist Club project, some members identify with the flag project more than others. For Bill Stone, President, 2013-2014 that includes wearing a Knoxville Optimist Club shirt that demonstrates his pride. Not only is the club's logo prominently displayed, the sleeves of the shirts are made of stars and stripes. Now how fun is that?

Post by Optimist Club of Knoxville.

US optimism formally began on the 4th of July

"Optimism is the foundation of courage." - Nicholas Murray Butler, American philosopher

With courage and resolve, on July 4, 1776, the United States formally declared independence from Great Britain with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. I don't know if optimism was specifically on the signers' minds; however, the outcome was and has always been to foster a nation of hope. 

Happy Independence Day. 

Photo credit: Trumbull's Declaration of Independence, Wikimedia Commons 

Young Optimists cheer for the Air Force

Mountain Home, Idaho is home to the Mountain Home Air Force Base and the 366th Fighter Wing. Approximately 3,500 people live on the base, the major employer in the small town approximately 50 miles east of Boise, Idaho.

Mountain Home Air Force Base, an Air Combat Command installation, opened in 1943 as a bomber training base, and has served as an operational SAC bomber and missile base and TAC and fighters before becoming an ACC in 1993.

Since 1961, the community has honored the installation with Air Force Appreciation Day. Taking place on the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day, the event includes a fun run and social with refreshments and entertainment on Frinday. One of the largest parades in Idaho takes place on Saturday, with complimentary barbecue and corn on the cob served to more than 5,000 guests.

The Optimist Club of Mountain Home gets involved with the festivities every year as the Optimist Cheer Squads take to the streets for the parade and entertainment. Proud mom Kelly Buchanan shared the above picture with me of Optimist Cheerleader Scotlyn.

The Mountain Optimist Club Cheerleading program is one of the most active in southwestern Idaho as they cheer for football and basketball, host clinics and camps, and participate in parades and other patriotic activities such as 9/11 memorial services held in the Boise Valley.

Optimist Clubs are known to bring out the best in kids and many clubs are involved in sports, keeping kids healthy and teaching good sportsmanship.  Another purpose of an Optimist Club is to promote patriotism and an active interest in good government. It sure looks like the Mountain Home Optimists are fulfilling their roles to bring up healthy, good citizens. Keep up the great work!

Patriotism on parade

Optimist Clubs love a parade, especially when it is a day to be thankful and patriotic. After all, nothing is more American; nothing says hometown more than a parade.

In combination with the R.O.T.C. programs at Canoga Park, El Camino and Cleveland, High Schools, the Optimist Club of West Hills, California saluted the fallen during the Memorial Day Celebration. A simple float, a simple message that means so much to so many.  Thank you.

Optimist Clubs promote patriotism

"Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." - Abraham Lincoln

Did you know that the Memorial Day celebration hails back to the Civil War? First called Decoration Day because of the commitment to decorate the graves of our fallen soldiers, the name Memorial Day became more widespread following World War II possibly because more people had more connections to fallen heroes.  

In 1968 Congress decided to change many national holidays by giving them a three day observance in the National Holidays Bill thereby moving their commemorative date to the Monday of the week instead of the traditional calendar day.  It is possible this act made Americans more aware of the freedoms they have received. Thanks to the sacrifices of others, they are free to barbecue with their family or participate in recreational activities with friends on national holidays, secure in the knowledge that our nation is protected by a strong military.  

That is why it is especially important that service organizations like Optimist Clubs help our communities recmember the importance of Memorial Day by recognizing our fallen soldiers with our thanks and praise. One club that does so is the Optimist Club of McCall, Idaho. Thanks to the Optimist Club, this small resort town gives thanks by proudly displaying the US Flag throughout town.  They sent the accompanying pictures for all to enjoy.  


Please take a few moments to remember our fallen heroes and to give thanks to our servicemen and women in your own way.  And next year, encourage your Optimist Club to make a commitment to recognize our fallen soldiers in a traditional manner, with decorations. 

Patriotism and optimism

Author and amateur sleuth Mike Befeler recently spoke at an Optimist Club meeting.  He has done so before, but on this day, he remarked about how the club said the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meeting.  Mike attended a kindergarten graduation the same day and both activities included this honor to patriotism.  His comment was how few times this is done today.

Two days ago, I remarked how I felt that Optimist Club meetings were important because they allowed us opportunities to engage with one another and with our community.  In addition to sharing a positive way of life, Optimist Clubs also promote respect for government and patriotism.  That is an important part of what we do.  Whether we say the Pledge of Allegiance, Toast to Canada or a Toast to all Nations, we honor our countries for the safe havens that they are and we recognize our place in making the system work.  

Think about it.  If you want to honor your country, respect others, serve your community, and promote a positive way of life, I encourage you to find an Optimist Club near you and get involved. Your community needs you.  Patriotism and optimism go hand in hand.  

Click here to find an Optimist Club near you today.