Journal-News.com

MIDDLETOWN — It's a familiar image to most Americans. Thirteen strips of red and white cloth sewn together with a square of blue filled with 50 white stars. It flies day and night in the sun, wind and rain, decorating homes and businesses alike.

But to National Guard Reservist Jeff Stipe, the American flag is more than just a decoration.

"A lot of people died so we can fly that flag. If you've chosen to have a flag pole you should remember that and it should look appropriate," he said.

It bothered him to see so many businesses take their flags for granted, hanging them improperly or flying them tattered and dirty. But rather than complain about the problem, Stipe decided to do something about it.

He started Flags on High, a business designed to care for and maintain flags flying across the area.

Stipe said he can install flag poles, repair or replace broken ropes, clean or replace worn out flags, free jammed flags, properly hang them for display as well as retire worn flags through the American Legion. He's in the process of working with an electrician to install proper lighting to keep poles illuminated at night.

His last job was brought about by a neighbor incessantly complaining to a business about the poor state of their flag.

"So eventually (the business) called me," he said. "But people can call me about what they see. I'll take up the fight for them to see the flag is taken care of."

Eventually Stipe hopes that with the help of his business partner, his wife, Kimberly, he can help homes and businesses across the region install and maintain the ultimate American symbol.

"It's a niche business. I'm not really doing it to become wealthy, I'm just doing it so flags look the way they should."

To learn more about Flags on High, visit flagsonhigh.net.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jlander@coxohio.com.