News 8
Irving woman spreads spirit of 4th with flags 
02:06 PM CDT on Friday, July 3, 2009
IRVING -- For nearly a week, a wave of honor has been taking over a city in North Texas.
It's a grassroots mission that's packed with pride.
On O'Connor Road in Irving hundreds of flags decorate both sides of the street. Miles and miles of flags color the city, and the woman behind this project hopes it inspires people to remember what's really important on the Fourth of July.
From candy dishes on the on the dining room table to her red, white and blue wardrobe, Nell Anne Hunt has a passion for Old Glory.
"I do have quite a collection," she said.
And every year she wears her patriotism with pride, celebrating the Fourth of July with a project called the Great Flag Caper.
"I always felt because of this wonderful birthright that I have I need to give back and make this country a little bit better," Hunt said.
Volunteers sign up on her doorstep and pick up flags to decorate the streets of Irving.
"It's command central. That's what I call my house, my front porch," she said.
Hunt started the tradition 16 years ago with 200 flags placed around her house. From there, the tribute spread to other lawns. It was a wave of honor that kept on going.
Now, more than 30,000 flags line neighborhoods and streets from Belt Line to the border of Coppell.
An army of 300 volunteers gets the job done. They want to give a message to the troops.
"Because of them we are right here. We are right here with all this freedom," volunteer Jo Dunn said.
The flags provide a symbol of unity to celebrate home.
"On the Fourth of July, we are all Americans because all you can see is American flags, Hunt says.
The cost of the project is $10,000, but Hunt says she gets donations every year.
Friday, she will have a party at her house for all the volunteers who helped her make the tribute happen.
