Objection to Staff Determination of "Pay to Display" the American Flag from VFW ff ,�titer ��4.�'�!� o � 'i Ise °d' ,4e
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Glacier Park VFW Post 2252
3301"Ave W
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406)752-2611 4 September 2025
Mayor Mark Johnson&Kalispell City Council
201 1 st Ave, E
1<aHsP0H. MT 59901
Subject:Objection to Staff Determination of"Pay to Display"the American Flag
Dear Mayor Johnson and City Council Members
We are writing on behalf of the more than 500 aggrieved members of VFW Glacier Park Post 2252 in opposition to
newly imposed requirements of staff to mandate general liability insurance and pay city fees to display the American
flag on meaningful days of national pride.The placement of flags on main street of Kalispell is nothing less than a
display of freedom, liberty,and national purpose for which thousands of veterans in the Flathead Valley have seen
combat in defense of and for which the flag gives all Americans pride. City staff are taking the position that displaying
the flag is a"special event" invoking the city's code requirement for fees and insurances likening the flag display to a
"car show, boat show, RV show, carnival, or concert"as the code section they cite describes. Flying the American flag
on important days has nothing in common with these things. The flag flies daily at Kalispell city hall,post offices and
thousands of local,state and federal facilities throughout this country without cost or liability and for good reason.To
belittle flying the American flag as a car show or carnival is an affront to the many of us who have given much,and
often all, in service to our nation in defense of what this symbol represents.To then require fees and find liability in its
raising lessens its meaning to us all...as it should.
For decades the VFW has placed the American flags along Kalispell's main street at no cost to the city. On each national
patriotic holiday,the flag flies through VFW efforts; and is taken down within days thereafter.This is a free service born
from pride and patriotism that is done through all volunteer effort. Staff's new and nonsensical interpretation that intends
to skew the Council's direction in the Code is misinformed.
Since May,we have worked with staff and other organizations to resolve this matter without success.The attached letter
dated, 14 June 2025, restates the issues,discussions,and activities to date. In short, we strongly disagree with city staff
who are asking us to interpret the Council's meaning of the City Code as they do.We do not.Therefore,we will be
requesting a formal finding by the Council to differentiate displaying the American flag from a special event.
Fundamentally, it is wrong to be asked to"pay to display"our Nation's colors. We trust you understand why we combat
veterans who have fought,bled,and sacrificed everything in defense of our Nation's symbol and the 108,000 veterans
across the state feel so strongly about this matter.
Respectfully, r
ART BIELZ RVAN KEELER
Commander Quartermaster
Cc: County Commissioners,Public Works Director,
Road&FI r' a ' or y
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mtvfw.org