The Visit Lake Charles Board of Directors recently granted $10,000 to the Avenue of Flags for the creation of the History Walk experience to highlight all versions of the American flag with a digital storytelling aspect as an enhancement to the traditional Avenue of Flags event that occurs each Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day at Orange Grove Graceland Cemetery.

The History Walk will start with the Betsy Ross flag and continue to the current 50-star U.S. flag. Stationed by each of the 27 flags, there will be a QR code to reveal a historical perspective of a moment in time when the featured flag was being flown across America. In addition, all 50 state flags will be flown alongside their place in history to further represent the formation of the United States as we know it today.

“For nearly 40 years, the Avenue of Flags has been a tradition that honors United States veterans of all branches of the military, past and present. The History Walk is an opportunity to further appreciate how far we have come as a nation by incorporating our nation’s journey from its early beginnings to present-day, and we are grateful to be able to bring this new experience to the community for our biannual event,” said Ted Harless, Jr., Director of the Avenue of Flags.

“Visit Lake Charles recognizes the importance of supporting the enhancement of this tried-and-true event that not only has become a family tradition each Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day but also honors our country’s veterans and heroes. We encourage everyone to walk through history to learn more about the evolution of our nation through the representation of the flags on display,” said Kyle Edmiston, President/CEO of Visit Lake Charles.

The mission of the Avenue of Flags is to respectfully display the American flag on Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day to honor our United States veterans of all branches of the military, past and present. The project was started by the Oliver Pollock Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Beginning with just 50 casket flags, it has now grown to more than 1,120.

For more information on Visit Lake Charles, log on to VisitLakeCharles.org or contact the Welcome Center at 337-436-9588.