Mammoth American flag earns recognition in Superior
Sep. 13—SUPERIOR — The huge American flag flying over Lakehead Constructors has been catching the eye of motorists on the Bong Bridge since it was first raised in May 2021.
"A lot of people love it," said Cory Schmidt, vice president of resources for the business, located at 3801 Winter St.
"We get letters here, we get phone calls, we get people traveling through from other states going fishing and they just comment on it. It's almost a monthly occurrence," said Brian Maki, president of Lakehead Constructors.
According to Kirk Ilenda, vice president of business development, it's the largest flag in the Twin Ports.
"We put the flag up because of, well, we have a commitment, obviously, to this city, this state, this country, the veterans," Maki said.
"When you're right at the foot of the Bong Bridge, you almost have some kind of patriotic duty to put up a flag," said Ilenda, referencing the bridge's namesake, World War II Ace of Aces Richard I. Bong.
The shop foreman started the construction business on the path to flying the mammoth flag in 2020.
"We had a crane in the yard and he put a flag on it and everybody commented on it," Maki said.
The president decided to make it a fixture, "a symbol to bring everybody together."
Schmidt was tasked with finding out how big a flag they could install. Six months later, the Federal Aviation Administration gave approval for a 12-story flagpole to fly the 30-foot by 60-foot flag on. It was first raised on Memorial Day 2021.
"Currently we have five in rotation and we get them repaired," Schmidt said.
A dedicated light shines on the flag at night, and it is taken down during high winds and icy conditions.
"High winds and ice will tear one up," Schmidt said. "So we try to get ahead of that and take it down or switch it out at that time."
It takes eight to 10 people to bring the flag down without letting it touch the ground. Employees use an app to keep updated on when it must be lowered to half staff. When one of the large flags must be retired, it is sent to the Minnesota Air National Guard Unit in Duluth.
Wednesday, Sept. 13, the business was recognized for its correct display and patriotic presentation of the American flag by the Lake Superior Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In addition to a certificate of appreciation, Regent Mary LaBlanc and Vice Regent Mary Houk gave the business another flag, this one a traditional 3-foot by 5-foot version, that was flown over the organization's Constitution Hall in Washington D.C., on June 14.
"This is such an impressive recognition," Ilenda said.
Shortly after the presentation, the wind began to stir the flag. As its colors started to unfurl, a bald eagle flew over the bridge behind it.
Houk learned about the practice of giving out a certificate to recognize individuals for their proper use, correct display and patriotic presentation of the American flag in her role as USA Flag chairwoman for the
Wisconsin Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
It's the first certificate that the local chapter has given out, Houk said, but they intend to honor other individuals and businesses in Douglas, Washburn and Burnett counties.
"I see flags around the neighborhood that are displayed correctly, and I think those people should be noticed," Houk said.
People can email Houk at
to nominate a neighbor or business owner for recognition.
"We can give out as many as we want," Houk said. "We want to honor people for showing patriotism and respect for the American flag."
Flag size: 30-feet by 60-feet. For comparison, it's as long as a bowling lane and roughly as wide as two mid-size sedans parked end-to-end.
Flag weight: About 100 pounds.
Flagpole height: 120 feet, or 12 stories high.
Flagpole base: 8 feet in diameter, 15 feet deep.
Number of flags: Lakehead Constructors currently has five flags in rotation.
Manpower: It takes eight to 10 people to bring the flag down without allowing it to touch the ground.
Power: An internal winch and cable system raises and lowers the flag.
Wait time: It took six months for Lakehead Constructors to get Federal Aviation Administration clearance for the 120-foot flagpole.
The Daughters of the American Revolution provide free booklets on the flag code. The booklets, which detail the proper way to display and care for the American Flag, are available at the Superior Public Library and the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center.
Drop boxes for worn flags that need to be retired are available at the Bong Center and to the right of the middle entrance at the Superior Walmart.
