The story of this largest known display of flags in the world begins on November 4, 1979, when Iranian militant students took control of the American embassy and held 53 American citizens captive. From 1979 and 1981 American hsotages were held in Iran, and 444 flags that you can see in this park symbolize the pride and hope of American people. The story of this largest known display of flags in the world begins on November 4, 1979, when Iranian militant students took control of the American embassy and held 53 American citizens captive.
All too soon Americans watched news updates on the crisis with the feeling of indifference as they lost track of the duration of captivity. But Tom Flynn, owner of Hillcrest Memorial Park, was convinced that this period in American history was too important to forget and determined to find a way to help Hermitage and the nation remember. With the help of unemployed steel workers in the Valley and flags donated by the families of veterans buried at Hillcrest, Flynn decided to erect an American flag for each day the hostages had been held.
Special ceremonies at Hillcrest were held on day 200, 300, 365, and 400, as time in captivity began to be marked by the number of flags flying on the Avenue. Included in these special tributes was a 52-hour prayer vigil, one hour for each of the remaining hostages still being held.The hostages were released on January 20, 1981. Michael Matrinko, along with five other returning hostages, lighted the eternal flame which today still burns in front of the monument dedicated to the 1980 rescue attempt. One Canadian flag also flies on the Avenue in recognition of the Canadian embassy's help in saving six hostages from captivity and eventually returning them to freedom.
Donations of flags or money for the purchase of flags are still received. However, today most of the flags are purchased new by Hillcrest at an annual investment of over $12,000. The flags fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but are lowered to half-mast for such solemn occasions as the Challenger space shuttle explosion. On days when the sound of these 444 symbols of American pride can be heard flapping in the wind from a distance, visitors are filled with a sense of pride and remembrance of a time when America was held hostage, and many have been seen to leave the park with tears filling their eyes.
The Avenue of Flags is one of the few remaining displays in the country which marks a time believed to be the beginning of a rebirth of American patriotism. The park is visited by people from all over the world and is open year-round for the public to enjoy. Individual and group tours are welcome.
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