San Carlos Park duo plants 1,100 flags ahead of Memorial Day

SAN CARLOS PARK, Fla. (WINK)—Two men from San Carlos Park are rallying the community to show support for the country ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

Stanley Clark and Ed Trimner lead a group called San Carlos Proud, which they first introduced to WINK News a few weeks ago. The duo places flags in yards across San Carlos Park several times a year to honor those who have served.

"We do it for Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, 911 and Veterans Day," Clark said.

"We put them at every, every mailbox, every every house gets a flag, every mailbox, even if there's two together," Trimner said.

The tradition involves 1,100 flags, two men, some sponsors who help pay for the flags and a few volunteers. It started six years ago.

"He takes care of all the flags, he cleans them, paints them, preps them," Clark said.

Clark and Trimner said it was never about the cost or the recognition. Each flag placed is for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"It's to give respect to those who gave it all, so that we could be going out there and put the flags down, and without some of those, maybe we wouldn't even be here today," Clark said.

As the years go on, this tradition has gotten harder for the duo. Clark said he no longer goes out to put the flags up himself.

"We both have back trouble, but I have bad knees now," Clark said.

The men first introduced their patriotic mission at a WINK Listens event. Now they hope the community hears their message about spreading the word.

"If you just want some information on what we do and how to start it up in your own neighborhood, call us, and we'll tell you how to get the flags," Clark said.

"If you love our country and you love our neighborhood, this is the way to show it," Trimner said.

The men will start to put the flags out Friday morning.