New American Pride Flag Lights Up Chicago Navy Pier

The lighting ceremony for the neon/cathode flag was hosted by IBEW Local 134, whose members worked on the project, and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) of Chicago. The flag remained on display at Navy Pier, now a huge amusement center located on Lake Michigan, through Flag Day, June 14.

The New American Pride flag is 50 feet wide, stands three stories tall and weighs 53,000 pounds. It contains over one mile of cold cathode tubing and 300 feet of neon. Built to the highest standards, its aluminum frame and lamps can withstand winds up to 90 mph. When illuminated, the flag can be seen from outer space.

"When you see the large-scale lighted flag, you know it symbolizes something very powerful," said Gary Niederkorn, Local 134 treasurer and vice-chairman of Labor Management Cooperation Committee/Chicago.

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the flag project was conceived and designed by Jacek Helenowski, president of Square 1 Precision Lighting, Inc. of Stone Park, Ilinois, as a "memorial to those who were lost" and to "reaffirm American unity and healing." The flag debuted at the Utah State Capitol for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. IBEW Local 354, Salt Lake City, members employed by Wasatch Electric installed the flag. The flag was a brilliant backdrop for the Olympics Ring Lighting Ceremony, which was televised around the globe.

Union members worked seven days a week, sometimes 14 to 16 hours a day, constructing and wiring the flag. Numerous electric sign companies donated material and labor. "Kelso-Burnett Company and Gibson Electric, NECA Chicago members, donated $25,000 worth of material and the services of a team of Local 134 electricians for the construction project," said IBEW Local 134 Business Manager Michael Fitzgerald. Six months and more than 5,500 man-hours were devoted to the flag construction.

"IBEW Local 134 electricians helped to insure the safe wiring and installation of the flag and were entrusted with its maintenance at Navy Pier," Fitzgerald said.

The flag has since been scheduled for display at other prominent venues around the country, including the Pentagon and in New York City. See web site www.newamericanpride.org for additional details.