A flag is a powerful symbol.
For many Americans, the sight of Old Glory conjures strong patriotic feelings, and when hundreds of the Stars and Stripes wave together, the sea of red, white and blue can be breathtaking.
That’s the idea behind Operation Flags of Freedom, founded in 2011 by Stark County resident Steve Toohey, who creates large public flag displays to transform open spaces into places of reflection and unity to honor military servicemen and women, veterans, first responders and fallen heroes and their families.
“Flags can be emotional,” Toohey told members of the Alliance Area Republican Club during a recent meeting.
To prove his point, he revealed 27 flags from his personal collection one by one.
He started with a pristine, 48-star American flag, which he noted could have been made anytime between 1912 and 1959, the span in which that design was used.
“Someone respected this flag and took really good care of it,” said Toohey.
He showed the various banners used by each of the different branches of the United States armed forces, acknowledging recent Annapolis graduate Ensign Anthony Zumbar, a native of Alliance and guest at the meeting, when he held up the “Appeal to Heaven Flag,” also known as the pine tree flag, that was first used as a naval flag during the American Revolution.
He put on view flags flown by civic groups, veteran organizations, and supporters of first responders.
He held a sobering sign beside a POW-MIA flag, reminding those in attendance that a total of 84,425 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are still unaccounted for since World War I.
“We need to remember that and that’s what this flag does,” said Toohey.
He presented some foreign flags that have dominated headlines recently, including those from Ukraine and Russia as well as Israel and Palestine.
Toohey unveiled one controversial flag from American history – the Southern Cross, also called the rebel flag, used by the Confederacy during the Civil War.
“This one has a different meaning depending on what side of the fence you are on and where you live,” said Toohey. “For some it stands for pride. To others it symbolizes hate. It brings out different feelings for different people.”
Toohey even pulled one of the most abhorrent flags from world history – the swastika flag that was used by the Nazis during World War II.
“This one, though, is repulsive to everyone,” said Toohey, explaining that it had been given to him by the daughter of a veteran who had brought it home from the war. The woman did not want it in her house, so Toohey added it to his collection to demonstrate just how a flag can stir emotion.
He ended with the flag that he is most familiar with – the current Star-Spangled Banner of 50 stars set in a blue field with 13 alternating red and white stripes.
“Of course, we all know this one,” said Toohey. “And when you get a lot of them together, it can be quite impressive.”
Toohey said he first came to that realization when he was seeking a way to pay tribute to Marine Sgt. Danny Patron, an explosive ordnance disposal expert who was killed in action while serving his third tour of duty as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in August 2011.
Toohey knew that another name – the 11th – would be added to a permanent memorial at Perry High School that commemorates the ultimate sacrifice alumni of the school made in service to their country, including nine in Vietnam, one in Iraq, and Patron in Afghanistan.
Toohey had known Patron personally. The fallen hero had dated one of Toohey’s daughters when the two were in high school. He wanted to do something to truly honor the soldier that he knew was a special young man.
“I was able to get together about 500 flags,” explained Toohey, a member of the Canton South Rotary Club that hosts a program similar to the one in Alliance. “We lined the route leading from the church to Cavalry Cemetery, where Danny’s final resting place is.”
The sight was awe-inspiring for the thousands that paid their final respects to Patron.
“Not long after that, Danny’s mother, Kathy, and I were talking,” said Toohey. “So often, a soldier is laid to rest and we think about them for a moment and then we forget about them. She asked me what we had to do so that people would remember Danny and all of the others who died for their country. I told her that I had an idea.”
That’s when Operation Flags of Freedom was born, starting out with one event at Perry High School. Now, more than a decade later, Toohey continues to build the non-profit organization.
In 2024, he coordinated 123 events in which he set up and packed up 9,729 flags, dedicating 224 hours to the displays of gratitude. He drove 10,290 miles, spending 297 hours on the road.
In addition to setting up displays for holidays such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Patriots Day, Toohey provides his flags, which are hand-sewn by four ladies in Stark County, to various veteran organizations and their fundraisers and activities, such as funerals, golf outings, concerts, and welcome home parties.
“I thank God every day for the freedoms we have and the chance to display patriotism through the American flag,” Steve said. “For me, it’s all about remembering our fallen soldiers and all of the veterans who have served. I’m proud to have a positive impact on our communities and the people who love the USA.”
Those interested in becoming a member of the Alliance Area Republican Club may contact Dr. Ed Lohnes at aarc2025@yahoo.com.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Flags of Freedom puts patriotism on display around Stark County
Reporting by Special to The Alliance Review / The Alliance Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
