Sometimes we all see something that just doesn’t look right.  Perhaps it’s a person that seems out of place at an event; like a guy at a formal party wearing swimming trunks, or maybe a traffic light in a forest.

Well, to the eyes of Marie McFarland and the Hilltop Patriots, something didn’t look right about the Lincoln City Cultural Center (LCCC) front lawn.  It wasn’t the newly installed landscaping or the elegant walking path. It was the tall flag pole with no flag.

McFarland relates that it just didn’t seem right to not have a flag there.  “We approached the Cultural Center to ask about donating an American flag.  While they were receptive to the idea they weren’t ready for a new flag while construction was underway. So in the meantime the Hilltop Patriots began fundraising to buy some flags for the Cultural Center. “We have several veterans in our group and we wanted to honor the flag.” she said.

McFarland continued, “We first noticed that there was no flag there when (Senator) Wyden visited so that was our first time approaching LCCC. We had volunteered then to put up a flag but the answer was “no” until construction was finished but that they hoped to have a flag flying by Flag Day June 4, 2024.

According to McFarland the Hilltop Patriots were able to purchase several new flags so they would always have one ready in case the first became too tattered to fly.

Executive Director of the Center, Niki Price accepted the donated flag and in a ceremony on Wednesday September 4, 2024 a beautiful, crisp and shiny American flag was hoisted into position by military veteran Monte Wolverton et all. The LCCC electronic reader board alongside Highway 101 announced the event.

Upon reaching its home atop the pole those gathered recited the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a stirring rendition of “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”  It was clear how much the ceremony meant to the group as many openly shed a tear during the song.

“There was so much pride and unity in feeling and expression in what the flag stands for.” said McFarland. “The old flag was so small and was just printed on fabric.  This is a real flag.”

The Hilltop Patriots were formed in Lincoln City in April of 2023 to create a group of like minded people of all political persuasions to find out how, in McFarland’s words, “they could make things better in our town and county. We have 90 members now with some from as far away as Yachats.” They meet every three weeks at Taft Hall at 1206 SE 48th place from 12:00p.m. until 2p.m.

If you would like to know more about the Hilltop Patriots you can contact them at 425-785-8333 or email at [email protected]