If you can't find a flag, draw one

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2001-10-24

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If you can't find a flag, draw one Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Hoping to show their support for the country by displaying a symbol of its freedom, Cheri and John Hulse shopped around for an American flag this week for their home. But Tuesday's terrorist attacks along the East Coast sparked an overwhelming wave of patriotism, making it impossible to buy Old Glory at local stores. "We couldn't find any flags anywhere," said John Hulse. "So if you can't find a flag, you make one." That's just what the Hulse family did Saturday morning, along with their 4-year-old son Bryce. Along the sidewalk of their home on the corner of Fourth and Oakdale, the Medford family started by decorating the cement walkway with colored chalk. A neighbor soon approached, and sold the family dozens of small flags stored unused in his closet. The flags now flutter along the sidewalk, shadowing a drawing of the flag along with written messages of support. The couple also displayed the flowers from their recent one-year anniversary as well as a few red, white and blue balloons. Jason Hulse spent the remainder of the day building a wooden flag that lights up. He plans to display his creation at night. "I think it's important, now more than ever, to show support," he said. "A lot of people have been driving by, honking and waving and showing their support," Cheri Hulse added. The couple plans to keep the display going for "as long as it takes." At night they will bring the small flags inside to avoid theft, and display them once again during the day. If it rains, Cheri Hulse said the family will be out as soon as the sun shines, rewriting messages on the sidewalk such as "God Bless America." The Hulses are encouraging the community to do the same and show support with balloons, flags, sidewalk chalk or flags. "It would be great to see the whole block like this," she added.   Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.