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GRANTS PASS Sights set on state's biggest flag The Stars and Stripes would fly outside an ice cream shop Comment By Alex Madison Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Alex Madison Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Sep. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Alex Madison Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Sep. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Every American expresses their patriotism differently. For one Grants Pass man, that means waving possibly the biggest flag in all of Oregon. Dan Kirkman already has seed money to get the project off the ground, but he needs more donations to erect a 150-foot flagpole topped by a 40-by-60-foot American flag in front of his Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop at 300 Union Ave. When asked why he wants to do this, Kirkman replied, "Why not? Every time I see an American flag, I love it." The Navy veteran wants to honor all who have served the country, and he's doing it in the biggest wow-factor way he can. The enormous flag and flagpole, yet to be ordered, will come from Michigan-based The Flagpole Company. The custom-made nylon flags will cost around $2,100 each, and Kirkman plans to buy three of them so he can replace the flag when it becomes worn and tattered. The flagpole, which will also be custom-made to accommodate the size of the flag, costs $34,000 and must be shipped across country in four parts, each measuring more than 40 feet. To Kirkman, it's go big or go home when it comes to the Stars and Stripes, something he feels represents the greatest country in the world. "To me, the flag is everything America was founded for," the 60-year-old said. "To me, it still stands for that no matter how much the country changes." To give perspective to how big the flag really is, according to published reports, there is a current three-way tie for the biggest American flag flown in the state of Oregon between the flag at the Erickson Aircraft Museum in Madras, the Forest Grove memorial flag and one flown above a private residence in Hermiston, all of which are 30 feet by 60 feet. In Medford, Crater Lake Ford also flies a 30-by-60-foot flag atop what is assumed to be the tallest flagpole in the state at 125 feet. A flagpole at the Redwood campus of Rogue Community College is 81 feet tall. The flag at RCC is 15-by-25 feet. Kirkman's flag and flagpole will outshine them all. He plans to erect the pole the first week of October and hang the flag more than a month later, at a dedication ceremony planned for the day after Veterans Day. "I want to make it the biggest event for veterans Grants Pass has ever seen," he said. The task of getting this done isn't easy. Once the pole arrives, it will need to be welded together, painted and erected with a crane. Kirkman has received a construction permit from the city of Grants Pass and recruited friends and other local business owners to help him out. Right now, Kirkman has raised about a third of the $50,000 project, $10,000 of which came from his own pocket. Another $5,000 was donated by Evergreen Federal Bank, which also donated the BearFest "America" bear painted by local artist Del Hearn. The bear can currently be seen in front of Taprock Northwest Grill, where it will remain until it's installed in front of Kirkman's flagpole. "It's a large enough flag that you'll see it along the Redwood Highway," said Melissa Vierra, marketing coordinator for Evergreen. "It will serve as a significant memorial to the people who have served our country." Kirkman said he hopes the community sees value in the project and will choose to support it. "So many veterans live in this community, and that's all what this is about: to honor veterans," he said. "Who doesn't want to drive by and say I helped build that?" The names of people who donate more than $500 will be engraved on a plaque that will be located next to the flag. Donations can be sent to 1600 Tamara Circle, Grants Pass OR 97527, or can be made online at gofundme.com/foreverhonor . All checks should be made out to the Greater Grants Pass Rotary Foundation. By Alex Madison Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Alex Madison Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Sep. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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