Memorial Day weekend inaugurations: Flags For Our Heroes and a Peace Pole

Several months ago, the Montgomery Village and Gaithersburg Rotary clubs became one, and the combined clubs are carrying on a 10-year-old tradition over Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday, May 24, at 11 a.m. in Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg, they will inaugurate a huge display of American flags. This will be followed by a second ceremony to inaugurate a Peace Pole.

The flag display will feature rows upon rows of full-size American flags. It is known as Flags For Our Heroes because firms and individuals sponsor most of them to honor former and active military personnel or others who are worthy of recognition. Each flag carries a tag with the names of the sponsor and the honoree. The inauguration will feature local dignitaries and patriotic entertainment. 

A Peace Pole is a small monument that displays the message, May Peace Prevail on Earth, in eight languages. More than 200,000 have been planted in some 180 countries. While there are a few in Maryland, this will be the first in any of the 28 parks in Gaithersburg. The inauguration will feature information about peace poles and why they are important. 

The public is invited to attend both of these free events, which are sponsored by the City of Gaithersburg and the Gaithersburg Rotary Club. There will be musical entertainment in the evening of May 23 and a Flag Retirement Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 25. People who have flags that are no longer usable contribute them to be properly destroyed. 

If you would like to volunteer for this celebration in the days immediately prior and after Memorial Day weekend, please complete the volunteer application here. Learn more about Flags For Our Heroes here.