OVERVIEW: Fly More Flags 50 Years on Feb 15, 2015 will mark the date that our current Canadian Flag was first flown. Part of that history is because John Ross Matheson, a dedicated Brockvillian was responsible for the committee that eventually choose the flag we have today. It is an exciting story and many people do not know about it. John Ross Matheson is the Father of Our Flag and our goal is to recognize this and celebrate the upcoming 50 Year milestone with a variety of initiatives in our community. The total project has a cost of approximately $600,000 of which over $500,000 was secured to provide for the monument and the installation of a 160 foot flag pole by the Smart Centers in Brockville which also provides for the ongoing maintenance of the flag which will be 35 ft by 70 ft.This will make it one of, if not the largest flag flying along the 401 in Ontario. Our community celebrated the raising of a temporary 120 ft interim flag on this site on Canada Day. The next phase of the committees goals is the Fly More Flags Campaign Our goal is to have a minimum of 2,000 flags, each 3`x 6`, flying in the City of Brockville to express our City`s patriotism in its role in the creation of one of the most recognized symbols in the world. With John Ross Matheson being the “Father of the Flag” and Brockville being the “Birth Place” of the Canadian Flag, we find it paramount that we put a simple program in place that will allow the citizens of Brockville to show their patriotism, their spirit and to re-inspire that passion that went into the birth of our National Flag almost 50 years ago. This project could become a National Fly More Flags Campaign leading up to the 50th Anniversary celebrations across Canada. Significant Milestones Celebrated 1. This project began Aug 2011 with meetings between John Ross Matheson and Bob Harper, Committee Chair and his wife Susan Harper. Significant time has been spent with John to ensure his approval and enthusiasm for the project. 2. Our committee was formed in September of 2012 with a mandate to raise awareness of history and upcoming 50th anniversary of our Canadian Flag. 3. The successful renaming of John Ross Matheson Way 4. The commissioning and completion of the Commemorative painting with the detailed assistance of John Ross Matheson. 5. The Flag pole, Monument and Plaque installation and celebration on Canada Day 2013. ( Corporate sponsorship of $500,000 ) 6. The introduction of Bill 57 by Steve Clark MPP. 7. The installation by the City of Brockville of the new Gateway Signs stating the Brockville as the Birthplace of the Canadian Flag. 8. Downtown Business Improvement Area agrees to fly Canadian Flags on light poles in the downtown core starting in 2014. 9. Development of the Pledge To the Maple Leaf Flag of Canada. 10. Awareness campaign to bring awareness to the history and upcoming 50th Anniversary through website, social media, radio and newspapers. 11. Mural to be painted by local school students and placed in the Centre Court of the 1000 Islands Mall being planned. 12. Fly More Flags initiative is ongoing and will be developed with a Canadian National Corporation is ongoing. 13. To create a National Celebration to be held in Brockville Ontario Birthplace of Canadas Flag on February 15th 2015. The Fly More Flags Campaign will have a significant impact on awareness in the community and potentially across Canada. Our committee believe this will help to create an additional tourism driver which will provide a significant benefit for the community in the near and long term.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 08:43:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015