Notepad Story
Still in Progress - October 2007

Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Name: Nick Foster


A resident of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Nick

Foster served in the US Marine Corps reserve in the early 1960's.

Foster does not know who originally placed the flags on the overpasses, but suspects it was one person. In any event, "I've been really impressed how often people stop while I'm putting up or repairing a flag.

Foster moved to Basking Ridge in 1996. Prior to that, Foster lived in Bernardsville (16 years) as a photographer and writer.

The American Flags cover bridges within a 45 mile radius including Interstate 287 and Route 78. Most of the flags have been 3'x5'.

4 x 5' flags drape the Martinsville Road and Somerville Road I-78 overpasses. "Do you know why I use the big ones there?" asks Foster, "Because that's the highest visible cross point in the area."

Putting up the flags is an expression of love, love for our country." Our big problem right now is terrorism, which is fear, and the great cure of fear is love. Love heals fear." (Bernardsville News June 17, 2004)

In his spare time (usually around Christmas), Foster can normally be found at the Christmas Eve carroling event as the "Candy Cane Hat Man", handing out candy canes to the children on the town greene.


The Flag Fund

Sponsor a Flag

Story written in Bernardsville News on May 6, 2004 entitled "After Sprucing up flags, Bernards man seeks more."


The Flagman

Questions:

First off, how would you like to be addressed? Mr. Foster?

So you saw these flags on the overpass, all tattered and worn. Was that the inspiration for your efforts?

How long has this been going on?

Do you have any nicknames based on your efforts or dress?

Are you planning to expand your efforts?

How many flags have you hung around the area?

Did you know that there's a project entiled the "Over the Road" Project that supports efforts like yours?

Do you have any children? If so, how do they and your family support your efforts? What do they think?

What's your most memorable story while you were hanging your flags?

Was there any flag that was more difficult to hang than others?

What about fundraising? Where's the money come from to support your efforts?

If people want to support your efforts, how can they help?

If people want to donate to your cause, how can they do that?




Nicholas Sant Foster can be reached via eMail at:

Keep the Campaign Alive!
Donate whatever you can.

Send your donation to:

Nicholas Sant Foster can be reached via eMail at:

Nicholas Foster
24 N Finley Avenue
Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920

(908) 766-7526

Other Flag Stories:

Keep America Flags Flying
Flagkeepers.org - Welcome to the Flag Keepers Project Where you can help make America a better place! Click Here

Unflagging patriots Two men maintain post-Sept 11 highway displays of glory 5 Aug 2004
Joe Pouech - Tens of thousands of American Flags are displayed along the nation's highways. For a variety of reasons, many fall into neglect. And some are so neglected that they become rags. Every few weeks he replaces the old flags with new ones. More than 30 currently line the fence. Pouech estimates he has gone through about 500 in the nearly three years he has been maintaining the patriotic display. All told, he figures it has cost him about $3,000, not chump change for a guy renting a one-bedroom apartment near the highway and laying carpet for a living. - Click Here

The Over The Road Project
The OTR Project drivers spot unserviceable flags, note their condition, and report the flags via our website or mail in the report. Click Here

Flagman in Orange County hits Roadblock -
October 2006 Article - Steve Saville, a spokesman for the California Department of Transportation in San Diego said that because of the 2003 federal court ruling, the freeway right of way cannot be used for displaying U.S. flags. Click Here

Vegas council orders American flag down -
A Las Vegas HUMMER dealer, Dan Towbin of Towbin HUMMER, has been ordered to take down a 30' x 60' American flag he's flown 100 feet above his dealership for a year because his neighbors have complained about the sound of the flag flapping and the obtrusiveness of its looming pole. Click Here

Barack Obama Stops Wearing American Flag Lapel Pin -
WATERLOO, Iowa  —  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says he doesn't wear an American flag lapel pin because it has become a substitute for "true patriotism" since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Click Here


Google Search Supporting search phrases:

Highway Flagman
American Flagman
Flags on Highway Overpasses
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The Flagman of Basking Ridge
The Flagman of Bernards Township
The Candy Cane Hat Man
Over the Road Flag Project