ST. GEORGE — A colossal American flag is flying again in St. George from the top of Southern Utah’s tallest flagpole.
A crowd gathered at Nielson RV Thursday to watch as the supersized symbol of freedom was raised by members of the United States Armed Forces during a flag ceremony at the RV dealership located at 341 E. Sunland Drive.
St. George City Mayor Jon Pike said he is grateful for Nielson RV Owner Scott Nielson’s investment in the “iconic” flag and extra-tall flagpole.
“It’s been great to work with him and resolve the issue of having a permit to have this tall, tall, tallest flagpole in St. George and Washington County,” Pike said.
The issue arose when Nielson RV was issued a code-enforcement violation on April 18 from the city of St. George stating that a flagpole displaying a 40-by-80-foot American flag in the company’s parking lot violated the city height requirement.
Nielson had believed the pole was in compliance before he had it installed and felt he was paying a price for patriotism after being told he would have to pay an additional $300 permitting fee in order for the city to consider granting a variance allowing for the pole’s height.
Mayor Pike promptly responded to the heated controversy and was at the forefront of getting the issue resolved and seeing to it that Nielson’s $300 fee was waived so the flag could go back up once its windstorm damage was repaired.
“In this case, we have a 150-foot flagpole which is going to be a real beacon-like feature for the community and a very big flag that will go on it,” Pike said, “and so that’s simply what we wanted to do was to make sure that we dotted our i’s and crossed our t’s and that everything was good.”
The mayor, Nielson and Nielson’s 91-year-old grandfather, World War II veteran Bill Sampson, were flown to Thursday’s event in a black helicopter that landed in the dealership’s parking lot.
The lot was filled with approximately 300 community members, including veterans, St. George City Council members, St. George firefighters, St. George Police officers and National Guard troops, among others.
After Sampson’s great-grandson, William Sampson Nielson, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, Sampson’s great-granddaughter, Grace Nielson, sang the national anthem while members of the National Guard raised the flag.
Sampson told the crowd of his recent Honor Flight experience in which he had the opportunity to fly to Washington, D.C. with 50 other World War II veterans.
“We went to the fort there, and they were telling us about what had happened when the British figured that they were going to take the fort,” Sampson said. “It was smoky that morning. They couldn’t see the fort. … The smoke cleared. Then they could see the American flag flying, and they knew that the British hadn’t taken the fort.”
Scott Nielson expressed his love for the nation and for those who have served it, noting that he had the flagpole installed for his grandfather and all the other veterans.
“We are truly, sincerely proud to support our troops,” Scott Nielson said. “We love our veterans. We love those that have served, that are in active duty and those that have fallen for such a great cause. I love you guys. I thank you for the support that you have given us. And again, a shout out to the mayor for such an awesome jump in to save this flag.”
Currently, there are approximately 10,000 veterans in the Washington County area, Pike said, noting how much the veterans will appreciate having a landmark of sorts that creates such a strong feeling of patriotism.
“I think it will be great to have the flag – it’s so large – right along I-15,” Pike said. “I think that will be one of the first things people see as they come, especially from the south, but even from the north, and I think that’s great, you know. It lets people know, again, this is the kind of community we have.”
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Members of the St. George Police and Fire departments attend a flag ceremony at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
St. George Police K-9 Officer Emma makes an appearance Thursday at a flag ceremony held at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Nielson RV owner Scott Nielson presents members of the St. George Fire Department with a $500 check for the department's service to the community, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
St. George City Mayor Jon Pike, Nielson RV owner Scott Nielson and World War II veteran Bill Sampson arrive in a helicopter to kick off a flag ceremony at Nielson RV in St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
A crowd gathers at Nielson RV to await the arrival of St. George City Mayor Jon Pike, Nielson RV owner Scott Nielson and World War II veteran Bill Sampson, who were flown to the dealership in a helicopter to kick off a flag ceremony, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
St. George City Mayor Jon Pike, Nielson RV owner Scott Nielson and World War II veteran Bill Sampson arrive in a helicopter to kick off a flag ceremony at Nielson RV in St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
A helicopter carrying St. George City Mayor Jon Pike, Nielson RV owner Scott Nielson and World War II veteran Bill Sampson lands at Nielson RV to kick off a flag ceremony, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
A helicopter carrying St. George City Mayor Jon Pike, Nielson RV owner Scott Nielson and World War II veteran Bill Sampson lands at Nielson RV to kick off a flag ceremony, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
L-R: World War II veteran Bill Sampson, Nielson RV owner Scott Nielson and St. George City Mayor Jon Pike arrive at Thursday's flag ceremony via helicopter, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
A sign displayed at the Nielson RV dealership in St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
A flag raising ceremony held Thursday at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
L-R: World War II veteran Bill Sampson, Nielson RV owner Scott Nielson and St. George City Mayor Jon Pike arrive at Thursday's flag ceremony via helicopter, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
World War II veteran Bill Sampson hands a National Guardsman a flag as part of a flag ceremony held Thursday at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
Bill Sampson’s great-grandson, William Sampson Nielson, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
National Guardsmen raise an American flag up a 150-foot flagpole during a flag ceremony at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
National Guardsmen raise an American flag up a 150-foot flagpole during a flag ceremony at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
National Guardsmen raise an American flag up a 150-foot flagpole during a flag ceremony at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
National Guardsmen raise an American flag up a 150-foot flagpole at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
A colossal American flag was raised up a 150-foot flagpole at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
National Guardsmen salute the American flag at a flag ceremony at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
National Guardsmen salute the American flag at a flag ceremony at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
National Guardsman salute the American flag, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
American flag flies from a 150-foot flagpole at Nielson RV, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kimberly Scott is a lifetime resident of Southern Utah. In 2013, Kimberly joined St. George News as a vital member of its editing, reporting and administrative team. She is passionate about engaging communities through writing and is dedicated to providing complete and accurate coverage of both anticipated and breaking news.
Refreshing that most of Utah is still a part of the United States where patriotism is a positive; a value. After decades in liberal big cities, I am happy to be here. Please let’s not allow the progressive, anti-American, bigoted, snowflakes ruin this community.
I couldn’t agree with you more!!! If we aren’t careful they will have that flag down in a heartbeat!!! I love the fact the city is allowing Old Glory to fly and too fly high above us and watch over us at all times… Especially in our time when we need everyone to support OUR president!!!
Explain how this is a problem of the “anti-American, bigoted, snowflake” citizens of this country. The flag was in was in violation of the law, not because someone got offended or hated america. There are probably many reasons why this law is in effect. These laws were made by people you voted for (R), so you can’t reasonably blame the political left for this.
It seems like someone might be using the size of their Flag to compensate for the size of something else. I wonder how much they donated to Mayor Pike’s re-election campaign to make the matter go away.
Smiled as I saw this beautiful flag flying today when I drove on Convention Center Drive. Thank you Nielson RV for bringing it back, and thanks to the Mayor for for his assistance. It’s a wonderful sight flying over Saint George!
Quite a show put on for a gimmick to draw attention to his packed RV lot. Let’s not forget he is a “salesman”. Anybody ever see the great flick Used Cars with Kurt Russell back in the 80’s?
I think he made it into a full-on circus just for the free media attention and free advertising that came about from it. Going after this line of thinking, perhaps: “Imma gonna buy my RV from that Nielson fellow. That boy is a true patriot, fightin’ them librul socialists that wanna take away all our ‘murican flags”.
Now he can fly his big ol’ huge flag to his hearts content, and I got no problem with it. I even wish he’d have gone bigger like the other person up there suggested 😉
Refreshing that most of Utah is still a part of the United States where patriotism is a positive; a value. After decades in liberal big cities, I am happy to be here. Please let’s not allow the progressive, anti-American, bigoted, snowflakes ruin this community.
Couldn’t agree more.
I couldn’t agree with you more!!! If we aren’t careful they will have that flag down in a heartbeat!!! I love the fact the city is allowing Old Glory to fly and too fly high above us and watch over us at all times… Especially in our time when we need everyone to support OUR president!!!
So now, in addition to your guns, the liberals are after your giant flags?
LOL, must be. Add that right along with the “obamacare death panels” 😉
Explain how this is a problem of the “anti-American, bigoted, snowflake” citizens of this country. The flag was in was in violation of the law, not because someone got offended or hated america. There are probably many reasons why this law is in effect. These laws were made by people you voted for (R), so you can’t reasonably blame the political left for this.
Too bad Nielson is unwilling to step up his game and go a full 200 feet high with a 50×100 foot flag. Sad.
It seems like someone might be using the size of their Flag to compensate for the size of something else. I wonder how much they donated to Mayor Pike’s re-election campaign to make the matter go away.
Everyone thinks the flag is a positive thing but you have to play Sigmund Frued and get snarky. What a clown.
lol 42 i think u hit the nail on the head with the freud analogy. v of r indeed belongs on the clown list 😉
Smiled as I saw this beautiful flag flying today when I drove on Convention Center Drive. Thank you Nielson RV for bringing it back, and thanks to the Mayor for for his assistance. It’s a wonderful sight flying over Saint George!
Quite a show put on for a gimmick to draw attention to his packed RV lot. Let’s not forget he is a “salesman”. Anybody ever see the great flick Used Cars with Kurt Russell back in the 80’s?
Trivia: Walt Disney’s dying words: “Kurt Russell”
I think he made it into a full-on circus just for the free media attention and free advertising that came about from it. Going after this line of thinking, perhaps: “Imma gonna buy my RV from that Nielson fellow. That boy is a true patriot, fightin’ them librul socialists that wanna take away all our ‘murican flags”.
Now he can fly his big ol’ huge flag to his hearts content, and I got no problem with it. I even wish he’d have gone bigger like the other person up there suggested 😉
“Advertising and marketing disguised as patriotism is shallow, despicable and makes a mockery of true patriotism”
Abe Lincoln
I’ll take “Internet Quotes Fabricated from Whole Cloth” for $200 Alex.
Voice of Treason strikes again. Abe was only referring car dealerships, not RV dealerships.