Flag Day
Monument Project
The monument idea started as a conversation about how we could celebrate Flag Day every day, and honor Dr. Bernard Cigrand, a Batavian who had the vision to make the day happen. But this monument does much more.
The flag tells the story of our nation’s history. It celebrates the arrival of new states, is lowered to honor our dead, and marks significant events in time. The design of this monument captures these stories and events in a way that is beautiful and educational.
The monument unfolds our nation’s history beginning in 1776 and continuing through 2016, marked by 25 year increments. The design features a 40’ diameter helix monument with 6’ wide walkway around the perimeter. The flag pole is 50’ tall and will display a 10’ x 18’ flag.
The Flag Day Monument is for the entire country. We have the vision, the plan and the patriotism – we just need Americans to help a little to give life to this undertaking!
Vasilion Architects
Contributing to the Flag Day Monument is
Investing in the Future
The Design
Steve Vasilion
Vasilion Architects
The design features a 40’ diameter helix monument with 6’ wide walkway around the perimeter. The flag pole is 50’ tall and will display a 10’ x 18’ flag.
Helix:
The helix reflects our steady population growth. Population plaques will be spaced at intervals: the lowest part of the helix reflects our 1776 population of 2.6 million and rises steadily until its highest point with the most recent census population of 310.2 million.
Obelisks:
The five obelisks commemorate iconic flag events:
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Bernard J. Cigrand and the creation of Flag Day
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Continental Congress established official flag; Betsy Ross the reputed seamstress
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Francis Scott Key, Fort McHenry, and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner
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The raising of the flag at Iwo Jima in WWII
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The placing of the U.S. flag on the moon
Red Bands:
We have had 27 official flags. By law, one star must be added for each new state. The red bands denote the length of time each flag flew. A plaque will commemorate each one.
Blue Bands:
These reflect the time periods our nation has been at war. Each major armed conflict will be commemorated with a plaque.
Other Bands:
There is space to add bands for other historical events, such as the great depression, which will be depicted with grey tile.
Vasilion Architects
Vasilion Architects
The Symbolism
Story Plaques:
Other significant events may be commemorated via plaques located along the timeline of the curve, such as the first automobile, first flight, and the first moon landing.
Ring of Honor:
The 6’ wide walkway around the perimeter of the monument will be called The Ring of Honor. Of the 3,500+ service personnel who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, 204 hailed from Illinois. Each of them will be honored with a small plaque on the periphery of the ring. There will be adequate room to honor future recipients.
Fallen Heroes:
The flag pole will be capped with a reflecting prism. We will use the pole and prism as a sundial. We will recognize historic events such as the assassination of presidents and civic leaders, the deaths of local soldiers, police officers, fire fighters, and other first responders.
Memorial headstones, each containing a smaller prism will be located throughout the site. Each headstone will be placed so that at the exact date and time (adjusted to local time) associated with the event light striking the prism atop the flagpole will shine directly on the respective memorial. Examples in this model include: 911 and JFK’s assassination.
“The Wobble”:
The earth is tilted on its axis. It also has a slight “wobble” in its rotation. The resulting shadow pattern (taken the same time every day) is an interesting “figure‐8”. The site will include an inlay of pavers, with plaques to note the equinoxes and the solstices.