Goshen celebrates our Grand Old Flag
Goshen. Community effort has American flags waving proudly along South Street, South Church Street and Parkway.
| 13 Jul 2020 | 12:46
South Street resident Mark Gargiulo organized the effort to display American flags on both sides of the streets on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July to honor veterans and thank essential workers who toil during the COVID-19 virus. Photos by Geri Corey.
The American flag was displayed on South Street in the Village of Goshen to honor both Memorial Day and July 4th. Flags lined both sides of the street, as well as South Church Street and Parkway.
More than 700 flags were displayed on South Street. The flags lined both sides of the road, as well as South Church Street and Parkway for Memorial Day and July 4th.
“There’s great community spirit in the Village of Goshen,” said South Street resident Alan Thompson. American flags waving proudly along South Street, South Church Street and Parkway attest to Goshen’s caring spirit that Thompson referred to.
Because of South Street resident Mark Gargiulo’s thoughtfulness, his idea of displaying American flags on both sides of the streets on Memorial Day honored veterans and thanked essential workers who toiled diligently during the Covid-19 virus pandemic. Gargiulo engaged Thompson to help organize the project, as well as George Santibenez, who was a big help in installing the flags.
Once more neighbors took time to put out the flags to honor July 4th, acknowledging America’s Independence Day and the hard work of doctors, nurses and other caregivers.
Gargiulo and Thompson might have been the impetus behind setting up the flags, but the holiday spectacles are neighborhood events.
“Everyone in the neighborhood was excited about putting out the flags when I mentioned it,” said Gargiulo, who said the neighborhood camaraderie began last summer when he invited all his neighbors for a backyard picnic. “We had what we called our first annual South Street festival—we had a good time, everyone brought something to eat, we got to know each other.”
“Early on after I moved here, I got to know my neighbors who live close by; now while meeting them at the backyard picnic and working together setting up flags, its been a good way of getting to know more people on the block,” said Thompson, adding these good words, “They’re all so congenial and cooperative.”
“We wanted the flags to be displayed ‘social distancing’ at six-feet apart, so I had to measure to make sure we ordered enough,” said Gargiuolo.
Thompson bought more than 700 flags in bulk online. Everyone on the block chipped in to cover the cost, some even giving extra to have flags shown in front of St. John’s cemetery and two vacant houses on the street.
As for Labor Day, coming Sept. 7, neighbors are planning to display their flags again.
What will be honored?
“Why, a brighter future,” said Thompson.
For their next project, people who live in this community spirited neighborhood are enthusiastic about having a neighborhood garage sale.
Keep watch, more information about this event will follow.