A 20 by 30 foot U.S. flag was raised over Carr Auction & Real Estate last summer, but by the end of the year it was down for repairs. This week, the big flag was in Great Bend receiving from tender loving care from Matt Felke, owner of The Boot Doctor in Great Bend, with a little help from local veterans.

It takes several people just to fold such a big flag, one of the Legion members noted.

Felke took the flag and his sewing machine to the American Legion, where there was room to work on such a large project. Veterans usually meet for coffee from 9-11 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so the building was available.

Jim Froetschner, owner of Carr Auction and Real Estate, said people have been asking what happened to the big flag.

“We get a lot of compliments on it and when it came down they missed it,” he said. It was frayed on one end and a couple of stars had blown off.

The U.S. Flag Code does allow for flag repairs, although a professional seamstress is preferable to a do-it-yourself job. Sewing an American flag requires special care so that repairs don’t show or alter the dimensions. 

According to the Carr Auction & Real Estate Facebook page, a smaller U.S. flag is up while the big flag is down for repairs. “Don’t worry, she’ll be back soon flyin’ high after she’s all mended up!!!”