Findlay, Ohio, Flag City USA – Congressional Designation presented May 7, 1974 – House Joint Resolution # 1003. 

Our story begins in the mid 1960’s when a man by the name of John B. Cooke moved to Findlay, Ohio. 

John Cooke, at the time, was Executive Vice-President of Aerosols Inc., a holly owned subsidiary of Buckeye Sugar Inc. of Ottawa, Ohio.  During his lifetime, he and his family had lived in 61 nations of the world.  When arriving in Findlay, he felt this was the place he would like to stay.  However, this stay was destined to be only two years. 

As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, our new citizen believed it was important to fly the American Flag, especially on special occasions.  Mr. Cooke had the inspirational idea that every house in Findlay should fly an American Flag on June 14, Flag Day.  So, he went about the city speaking to businesses and industries as well as people about town. 

A fund was created to be controlled by the John Hancock Chapter of the SAR.  His goal to buy 14,000 small flags to be distributed by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls was accomplished and enough money remained to dedicate a plaque in memory of and honor to those men and women who have carried the torch of freedom for our country. 

The media was notified that “Findlay would become the Flag Capitol of the United States on Flag Day.”  Also stating “American Flags would and will be flown all day on June 14 and subsequent holidays creating on of the major exhibitions of patriotism in the United States.” 

On Wednesday, June 12, 1968, the Honorable Jackson E. Betts, Representative to Congress from District 4, made a presentation in the House of Representatives: 

Mr. Speaker: The strong patriotism of residents of my district has rarely been better exhibited than the present project which will make Findlay, Ohio, Flag City, USA on June 14, 1968. 

In Flag City, on June 14, 1968, every house in the entire city of Findlay, Ohio will fly replicas of the flag of the United States.  Fourteen thousand small flags have been purchased and distributed for this community-wide display on all city homes.  The John Hancock Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution are seeing that flags are delivered through the enthusiastic cooperation of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Camp Fire Girls of the area. 

Appropriate ceremonies will be held on June 14, to dedicate a plaque to the men and women of our Armed Forces at the Courthouse.  I am pleased to provide a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol especially for this occasion.

 When June 14, 1968 came, Flags flew and the enthusiasm was set for the future flying of the National Flag.  However, there was vandalism.  Flags were stolen from outside of stores.  Even the Mayor’s flag was taken.  The merchants decided to fly flags on special occasions only. 

This continued until 1974.  Tennyson Guyer had replaced Jackson Betts in Congress.  The Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce started a campaign to once again have the flags fly and Findlay become Flag City, USA.  This effort was aided by the Optimists.  Congressman Guyer was approached and through his introduction of House Joint Resolution #1003, Findlay was officially declared Flag City, USA. 

On May 27, 1974, Tennyson Guyer sent a letter to the Women’s Division: 

I feel it highly appropriate on this Memorial Day, that I sincerely congratulate you in your fine efforts to revitalize and magnify our combined efforts to officially and whole-heartedly herald the City of Findlay as Flag City, USA.” 

Following the receipt of this letter, on June 20, 1974, the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce filed papers of incorporation with the State of Ohio declaring Findlay to be “Findlay-Flag City, USA.” 

Since this time, merchants, industry, residents, and friends have taken great pride in the new designation.  Over 200 holes were drilled in the sidewalks in front of downtown businesses in which to place flag poles and flags every day.  Flags fly.  Sadly they are not flown from each and every place, but renewed interest is evident.  In 1988, Vice President Bush spoke on the opening day festivities of the first annual Flag City Festival.  June 29, 1989, on a beautiful sunny day, a nationally televised rally was held in disagreement to the Supreme Court ruling on the flag burning issue. 

On the day of the Flag Rally, Congressman Mike Oxley flew in from Washington to accept a petition, to present to Congress, containing more than 5,000 names objecting to the Supreme Court ruling.  Citizens tuned out en-mass.  Former Congressman Jackson Betts and community and corporate leaders spoke to the crowd of more than 2,000 in the Dorney Plaza.  Flags waved, crowds cheered and then silence for the pledge to the Flag and eloquent patriotic speeches. 

In November, 1989, another part of the country was heard from.  The Soroptimists of Federal Way, Washington decided to make their city Flag City, USA.  A Federal Way citizen had seen our rally on TV and wrote the Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Correspondence has continued but the Soroptimist efforts have not been deterred. 

All this has only created new vigor in Findlay’s effort to have all citizens display the Flag.  The newspaper and the radio have taken up the cause.  Motorcoach tour groups are asking about the designation of Flag City, USA.  Motorcoach groups visited Findlay on June 14 to see Flag City on Flag Day.  Continuing annual Flag City Festivals are in the planning stages. 

Findlay, Ohio, Flag City, USA is a fast growing community of some 39,000 citizens; a city having a great heritage since 1812.  Conservative but yet energetically progressive in handling its new growth, Findlay is now and international community with new worldwide corporations and industries locating here.  Findlay is a patriotic community, enthusiastically proud of its official designation as Flag City, USA. 

*Compiled April 1990 by Charles L. Ebersol
The Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau