200 for 200

By Editor | July 3, 2025 |

American flags add a patriotic touch to the colorful downtown Brownsville mural, part of a community effort led by the Edmonson Arts Guild to celebrate unity and local pride. PHOTO | Lynn Bledsoe

Lynn Bledsoe

Gimlet Managing Editor

Rarely do you see something that will bring a community together, if you do it’s usually a sickness, death or other tragedy. No one could have imagined a simple thought born from a short trip would unite a community but that is what happened.

Phyllis and Mark Miller took a trip and saw some American Flags on display around a town. Phyllis thought how nice it would be to hang some in Brownsville. She and her family members bought a few and got permission from Edmonson Judge Executive Scott Lindsey, Brownsville Mayor Ricky Simon and Warren Rural Electric to be able to hang some flags.

Pretty quickly residents began to contact Miller and ask her if they could help purchase a flag. Phyllis being the President of the Edmonson Arts Guild decided it would be a good thing for the Guild to take on to hang 200 flags for the 200th anniversary of Edmonson County.

Some of the Art Guild members whom helped to hang flags around Brownsville. PHOTO | Submitted

The Guild really did not make money from this endeavor. Donors gave $40 per flag and the cost was $36. This did not include the screws needed to attach to each flagpole. As the flags went up passers-by waved, honked and yelled “Thank You!”

Visitors in Brownsville have commented on how beautiful it looked and how they enjoyed seeing the flags. There have been a few negative comments but in true American fashion the Guild and the flags have been defended.

Hopefully the flags will stay, being replaced each year as needed. If not, for a small time Edmonson County and Brownsville came together to show pride in our country and those who choose to call it home.

Sponsors of The American Flag

Greg & Lydia Nugent

Mark & Phyl Miller

Edmonson County Art Guild

Donnie & Jenny Turley

Robbie & Andrea, Trace, Ty, Tucker Brantley

Gary & Donna Bagshaw

Scott & Teresa Lindsey

Kerry & Alicia Edwards

Buddy, Ann & Stephanie Stewart

Michael & Sherrell Thompson

Paul & Mary Jo Reinecke