SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A Spokane Valley Fire Department ladder truck crew is credited with caring for a popular American flag that was in distress.
The massive flag, which is located at the Camping World RV dealership off of I-90, is routinely spotted by drivers not far from the Liberty Lake exit. On Monday morning, however, Camping World staff discovered that an upper section of the flag had started to rip due to recent rain and high winds.
"Your gut just kind of sinks," said Camping World general manager Mike Justus of the flag that was beginning to come apart when he and coworkers arrived to work. "It's very dear to me."
Justus said staff immediately began planning to take down the flag, which measures 40 feet by 80 feet, and replace it with another flag Camping World had standing by. The RV dealership typically has four additional large flags on standby and will often replace their flags every two months as they become worn, according to Justus.
Not long after employees began arriving at work, Justus said the dealership’s phone lines became swamped with calls from concerned drivers who noticed the flag’s tear.
"The flag is a staple of Spokane Valley," said Justus, acknowledging concerns from motorists.
Despite Camping World’s efforts to take down the flag as soon as possible, mother nature didn’t appear ready to cooperate. High winds continued to damage the 3,200 square foot flag and created conditions that were too dangerous for employees alone to take the flag down, according to Justus.
"We actually came back out to check on [the flag] again. At that point, it had become wrapped around the pole, but also entangled within the lines and completely destroyed,” Justus said.
With that, Camping World placed a call with the Spokane Valley Fire Department to see if the agency could provide an assist.
After responding to a fire call on Broadway Avenue, SVFD Captain Kresse and a ladder truck arrived at Camping World to help take down the damaged flag. A firefighter who was extended on the truck’s ladder was able to cut down the tangled flag and safety hand it off to Camping World staff on the ground.
"That's what they're made for. Setbacks and high obstacles,” said Kresse of the ladder truck. “That flag pole is right in our alley."
Kresse said that SVFD has previously used the truck to respond to calls relating to flags stuck on flagpoles. Notably, Kresse said the department helped out during a similar call during a Veterans Day event at a nearby motorcycle dealership.
"I like it. Especially, all three of us [firefighters] are former army guys,” said Kresse, referencing the two additional firefighters on the ladder truck with him. “So it's nice to come in to take care of the flag to make sure it's done right."
Justus said he and his staff were extremely grateful for the firefighters’ help. "They were very positive about it and just super helpful,” he said.
Justus added that Camping World’s owner makes it a point for each of the company’s 130 locations across the country to display a large American flag.
"We love our service members, we love the people of our community," Justus said. "The American people are worth every investment that we put in to them."