Our Flags For Heroes presentation at the Maine Mall last Friday was a splendid event against the backdrop of 200 American flags. Each flag has a story, a memory, a heartfelt feeling, and it creates a natural aura that resonates. Charlie Frair welcomed the Rotarians, business sponsors, our speakers, and guests to the ceremony, and introduced Paul Tully as our MC. Paul started things off by introducing Kristen Short, who led us in singing the Star Spangled Banner.

 

Paul then recognized our supportive sponsors, noting first Wally and Mark Camp from the Rowe Auto Group for their strong continued as our lead sponsor. Our corporate sponsors included DiMillos Restaurant, Great Diamond Partners, Wealth Management, Conroy Tully Walker Funeral Homes. The Varney Agency, Insurance and Bonding, and Rotarian Roxane Cole -Roxane Cole Commercial Real Estate. Rounding out our sponsors were The Ryan Pierce Charitable Fund, Rotarian Bill Milliken- WJM Auctioneers, Northeast Bank, Maine Community Bank, Hammond Lumber, and Volk Packaging. (Photos - Paul and Kristen)

Paul expressed sincere gratitude to the Maine Mall and Jayiah Sawyer, our Mall liaison, and Dennis Meehan at the Portland SeaDogs for all their efforts in helping to execute our venue events. He continued by recognizing the Portland Media Group, WMTW 8 and WGME 13 for the vast amount of advertising and media coverage that helped drive this event forward.

 

Paul added that numerous Rotarians provided many services to make this all happen, notably Paul Gore, Cyrus Hagge, Tom Talbott, and Cort Hepler.

 

Our first guest speaker was the recently named Portland Fire Chief Chad Johnson, a 25-year member of the PFD. Chief Johnson called it a beautiful and meaningful tribute, and when we look at the flags remember the impact of what they really represent. Sacrifices made, battles fought, the peace that has been preserved.

 

Next, Lieutenant Robert Doherty, representing the Portland Police Department, serving Portland for 30 years as on officer, detective and instructor. He was honored to be recognized as one of our flag heros by the Department and his peers, and gave heartfelt thanks to the Rotary to have his name connected to this program. (Photos: Chief Johnson, Lt. Doherty)

Next came Geoff Iacuessa, President and GM, Portland SeaDogs. Geoff began his career with the team in 2001 as an intern, and now oversees the operation; a full-time staff of 22, and a game day crew of over 300. Geoff spoke of our Sunday flags event, our teamwork the past two years, and then touched on what heroes mean to him. He called his parents his two greatest heroes, instilling a work ethic, being true to your word, showing up every day for friends and family, being a good person. He noted the 200 flags representing all the personal heroes, and in turn how this Rotary program helps to make the community a better place to live, work, and to be. From a community standpoint, we help those in distress, and that his heroic.

 

Paul brought Kristen Short back to close things out with a singing of America The Beautiful. Photo: Paul Tully, Lt. Robert Doherty, Geoff Iacuessa, Chief Chad Johnson, Kirsten Short, and Charlie Frair.

 

Speaker Schedule