NEW VINEYARD — Rodney Holbrook and his wife, Norma, came up with the idea of placing American flags on utility poles around town to the New Vineyard North Snowmobile club in which they are both active. They volunteered to gather information and received a donation of 25 flags from the Galen Cole Family Foundation. In partnership with the New Vineyard Historical Society, an additional 48 flags were purchased. Brackets for these 72 flags were attached to utility poles by Holbrook and Steve Heath along Route 27, High Street, Church Street and Lake Street. Many flags have been donated by citizens in honor of or in memory of loved ones. Frank Forster, also a member of the snowmobile club, crafted a plaque on which the names of honorees are embossed.

Every season since the flags started waving along the roads in town, Holbrook has installed them in May and removed them in September, having kept vigil over them on a daily basis to ensure they are free to wave.

In the summer of 2013, Holbrook added two Canadian flags on Main Street in memory of the citizens of Lac-Megantic whose downtown was destroyed by an oil train crash. The New Vineyard Fire Department went to assist firefighters during their ordeal.

Typically, flags need to be replaced after three years of use, so donations for purchasing new flags are made by the snowmobile club, town funding and memorial gifting. Anyone wishing to donate a flag should contact Norma Holbrook.