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Posted on 09/22/2001 11:40:21 AM PDT by Deadeye Division

Flag makers churning out symbol of freedom

Saturday, September 22, 2001

Frank Hinchey
Dispatch Staff Reporter

COSHOCTON, Ohio -- Kathy Courtright could barely make herself heard over the clatter of her sewing machine as she stitched row after row of narrow red and white fabric.

"They stand for freedom,'' said Courtright, a 15-year employee of Annin & Co., as she deftly steered the stripes toward a needle, one step in creating an American flag.

"Many gave their lives so we could have this freedom. I hope all Americans feel the same way.''

Most apparently do.

As the nation prepares for war, the American flag is in so much demand that Annin and other manufacturers have been working around the clock to fill orders.

Annin, which has made the Stars and Stripes since 1847, has been swamped with orders at its five manufacturing plants, including one in Coshocton, since the attacks in New York and at the Pentagon.

"We've been flooded with calls,'' said plant manger Vane Scott III.

Among its eager customers is Wal-Mart Stores, which sold 450,000 flags in the 72 hours after the attacks. Last year, the stores sold 26,000 during the same three-day period, said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Sharon Weber.

Flag makers work in a 100-year-old factory just north of downtown.

In the main room, about 50 employees worked on 40 sewing machines and cutting stations where the flags are assembled and cut to various lengths.

Another 25 employees work in a back room making small, hand-held stick flags.

The Coshocton plant, about 60 miles east of Columbus, has already doubled its normal daily output of 2,000 3-by-5 foot flags, which are manufactured in cotton, nylon and polyester. Each takes about four minutes to assemble.

Scott said he has been awed by the effort of the plant's 110 regular workers and 60 or so recent hires to keep up with the orders.

"They have been canceling vacations, working Saturdays and a lot of overtime,'' he said. "They feel it is their patriotic duty.''

Short-timers and long-term employees said they feel strongly about the red, white and blue material they craft into America's national symbol.

"It's for such a good reason, it makes you feel good to make these flags for the country,' said Amber Loomer, 22, a three-year employee. "My sympathy goes out to everybody in New York and Washington, D.C.''

Scott, 43, is the second generation of his family to run the flag company. He said he is proud to contribute in a time of national need.

His parents, Vane and Barbara, started the company in 1968 and have since retired.

His father was a World War II Navy veteran.

"It's his generation that made sacrifices for our generation so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,'' said Scott, who also served in the Navy.

The elder Scott, 76, said the company faced similar back orders when the United States was building up for the Gulf War.

When the fighting started, it was 1.3 million orders behind.

"This is going to bigger and more sustained,'' he said, referring to current plans for a prolonged battle against global terrorism.

The elder Scott said his father worked in a submarine yard during World War I, and was a "flag waver.''

He said things have changed since the world wars.

"This is not the same America I fought for,'' he said. "Now we are the target.''

fhinchey@dispatch.com

Sue McCombs of Warsaw works at top speed to create the stars and stripes of the American flag. The attacks on New York and the Pentagon have caused a run on flags at most stores, and flag makers are struggling to meet the demand.

That's Warsaw, Ohio....or is that, "War-Sew"?

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