Sedona News – On May 16, 2024, both residents and Sedona guests will see the early morning placement of “89 Flags on 89A” in preparation of Armed Forces Day on Saturday May 18, 2024. Armed Forces Day is a special day to honor our brothers, sisters, sons & daughters and all others currently serving this country in uniform. When Armed Forces Day was established in 1949 President Truman praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas and said, “it is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace.”
SAVCO members are proud to post the American Flag for this day. The tradition of displaying the United States Flag along 89A started years ago with the Sedona Marine Corps League. During a meeting at the Elks Lodge, Ray Steuve discussed his idea of working with ADOT to allow flags on 89A. At the time, he wanted to put up 100 flags. When Ray described his idea, Terrie Frankel said, “How about putting 89 Flags on 89A and calling it “89 Flags on 89A.” Well that name stuck and Ray Stueve did a great amount of the ‘heavy lifting’ coordinating with ADOT and the city of Sedona for permission to post the US Flag and testing different hardware that could withstand the spring’s heavy winds and the summer’s monsoons. Steakhouse 89 owners, Dieter Lehman and Cyril Chiosa, donated the initial funds get to 89 Flags on 89A up and running and the following years Dave Bowers and family made sure the program would continue with their generous donations.
A few years later with the help of Kiwanis members and Rotarian Kathryn Stillman….89 flags became 117 with the additional postings uptown, but the phrase “89 Flags on 89A” stood.