{"id":30716,"date":"2026-05-13T14:31:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T14:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jubi24.com\/?p=30716"},"modified":"2026-05-13T14:31:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T14:31:31","slug":"american-flags-through-centuries-displayed-on-isle-of-palms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jubi24.com\/?p=30716","title":{"rendered":"American flags through centuries displayed on Isle of Palms"},"content":{"rendered":"


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ISLE OF PALMS \u2014 Twenty-six American flags stand tall in front of the city\u2019s recreation center. On May 11, the warm breeze created a subtle chorus of fluttering red, white and blue fabric as people with gym bags walked by, making their way into the center in time to catch a class.<\/p>\n

The Isle of Palms Exchange Club<\/a> and the local VFW Post 3137<\/a> collaborated to erect the patriotic display in honor of the United States\u2019 250th anniversary.<\/a> The installation is the fifth stop on the tour of the flags, said Kitty Riley, president-elect of the Exchange Club.<\/p>\n

A large-scale reproduction of the Declaration of Independence anchors the flags, which are arranged in a semi-circle in front of the Recreation Center on 24th Avenue. The display features 26 versions of the American flag that have represented the nation throughout its 250 years.<\/p>\n

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\n A copy of the Declaration of Independence in on display with an American flag dispay at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center Monday, May 11, 2026.
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\n Grace Beahm Alford\/Staff<\/span>
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The display begins with the Grand Union flag<\/a>, or the Continental Colors, which bears the familiar red and white stripes with the Union Jack in the top left corner.<\/p>\n

The stars and stripes would officially become America\u2019s banner in 1777. The first Flag Resolution adopted by the Second Continental Congress ordered that the red and white stripes with 13 white stars on a blue field become the symbol of the young nation.<\/p>\n

The design has changed over time, from the Star Spangled Banner pattern credited to Declaration signer Francis Hopkinson,<\/a> to the famous circular configuration of stars sewn by Betsy Ross in 1778.<\/p>\n

More stars populated the deep blue square as additional states were formed or brought into the nation. The 50-star flag that flies today was adopted in 1960 after Hawaii became the 50th state. The progression of the flag\u2019s designs can be viewed on the Isle of Palms through July.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Kitty Riley with VFW Post 3137 resecure fastners on several flags on display at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center Monday, May 11, 2026.
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\n Grace Beahm Alford\/Staff<\/span>
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Riley said the service organization wanted to find a way to commemorate the nation\u2019s 250th and bring a sense of unity to the community in tumultuous times.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen people see the flag, it’s \u2014 and I get emotional,\u201d Riley paused, tearing up. \u201cIt’s a reminder, not only of the freedom that we have and how lucky we are \u2026 but it\u2019s the representation of people that fought in our wars and some of the people that we lost in our wars. It can be very moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

The National Exchange Club was founded in 1911 when the American flag had just 46 stars. The Isle of Palms\u2019 branch has been operating on the island since 1948, when the 48-star flag was being flown. Both versions of those flags are flying on Isle of Palms as part of the installation.<\/p>\n

Carol Truslow, a member of the IOP VFW and the Exchange Club, said the flags have so far been displayed at area schools, including Sullivan\u2019s Island Elementary and Moultrie Middle, Wando and Lucy Beckham High Schools in Mount Pleasant. The high schools\u2019 ROTC groups helped install the displays at their respective schools, Truslow said.<\/p>\n

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Kitty Riley with VFW Post 3137 and Carol Truslow with the Isle of Palms Exchange Club have worked together to display flags at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center Monday, May 11, 2026 in honor of the United States\u2019 250th anniversary.
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\n Grace Beahm Alford\/Staff<\/span>
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\u201cIt was just wonderful to see the young people come out be so enthusiastic,\u201d Truslow said.<\/p>\n

The flags will be on the Isle of Palms site at the Recreation Center until May 21. They\u2019ll be planted again in front of the United Methodist Church on 21st Avenue throughout Memorial Day weekend. In June, the flags will be displayed at the Leola Hanbury Park and then the nature garden at 7th Avenue and Palm Boulevard. They\u2019ll move again in July, flying in front of the Public Safety Building on J.C. Long Boulevard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n