This year, the United States of America turns 250! To mark the occasion, the City of South Portland will be placing American flags on phone and light poles along major throughways in the city. Nearly

This year, the United States of America turns 250! To mark the occasion, the City of South Portland will be placing American flags on phone and light poles along major throughways in the city. Nearly 100 flags will fly from the start of Broadway (near SMCC) to Westbrook Street on the west end of town, and along Gorham Rd.In addition, the City will honor South Portland service members who fell during wartime with photo banners. The 59 banners will be placed along with the flags, with the greatest concentration on Broadway along the Memorial Day parade route (between SMCC and Mill Creek Park).Grant funding and private donations helped make the flags and banners possible. The City Council voted in November 2025 to pursue a grant from the Galen Cole Family Foundation, which the City was awarded and covered 50% of the cost of the flags and pole mounting brackets. While the Council allocated funding to help cover the cost of the veteran banners, the Hometown Heroes Committee opted to solicit private donations instead, which are expected to cover the full cost. The City’s allocation will be held in a reserve to help replace the flags and banners as they become worn, and to also help fund repairs to the veterans memorial monument in Mill Creek Park.U.S. Flag Code, which serves as a set of advisory rules and etiquette for civilians, requires flags to be illuminated or removed at night. The code is considered purely declaratory due to free-speech protections. Like nearly every community our size that displays a large number of seasonal flags, it is not feasible to remove every flag or light each one every night. However, we have placed the flags near street lights for nighttime illumination whenever possible.The flags and photo banners are a celebration of this important milestone in the country’s history and a memorial to South Portland residents who lost their lives while serving.Crosswalks will also be painted for POW/MIA Recognition Day and Independence Day.