LENEXA, Kan. — A newer Memorial Day tradition is back again for its third year, much to the delight of people driving by in their cars. A huge flag display near I-435 and 95th Street in Lenexa went up last week to pay special tribute to the lives lost protecting our freedom.
“We are just so thankful we live in a wonderful nation and have the freedoms we have.” said Linda Gerlt of Olathe. “We don’t ever want to forget that.”
Gerlt and Kathy Thomasson were with their husbands Monday afternoon walking in a sea of stars and stripes. They’ve seen the display from a distance before and they’ve watched it grow.
“We decided to drive out and take a look at it,” said Lynn Thomasson, Kathy’s husband.
The couples weren’t alone. Many stopped by Monday afternoon, many with children who had a great time running around and taking pictures.
Kathy Thomasson hoped the visit proved to be educational for kids.
“They need to know what our country is all about and that we can’t go and have our picnics and just enjoy our freedom without a price,” she said.
Kathy’s husband served in the Army in the mid 1960s, and the Gerlt’s have relatives who did, which makes them appreciate the display even more.
“We just thought a great honor to see the amount of effort somebody has put into this presentation of these flags,” said Byron Gerlt.
Boy Scout Troop 162 gets all the credit. This is the third year the boys have set up the display. This year, 25 young men helped put up more than 1,400 flags.
The display will come down Wednesday afternoon.
