WAVE THOSE FLAGS

COEUR d'ALENE — With the Fourth of July right around the corner, American flags are sprinkling the Garden District landscape.

Some of these flags have been bestowed by longtime Kootenai County resident Aimee Gerome.

Gerome isn’t seeking anything from the generous act. She just wants to give back to her community.

“It gives that small-town feeling that we still care,” she said. “We all still feel patriotic, and that matters.”

For the past 15 years, Gerome has placed American flags in the front yards of her neighbors to commemorate Independence Day.

Not just a few neighbors. More like 1,000.

Creating a sense of togetherness is what Gerome, a Realtor with Keller Williams, wants to do. Flags bring cheer to the community and are a symbol of celebration, Gerome said.

She feels that today, more than ever — we need it.

The annual distribution of American flags is a family event. Gerome, her daughter, Lexi, and her husband, Anthony, spent about eight hours Tuesday distributing the flags.

With a red wagon in tow, they travel on foot, talking to the neighbors along the way.

Normally, working during the midday, they interact with more people. However, the extreme heat compelled them to begin at 4 a.m. Because of the early start, they didn’t chat with as many folks.

Downtown resident Jacob Kagarise, the head chef at the Flame and Cork, enjoyed finding the flag poking out of his front yard.

“They just showed up,” he said. “We didn’t mind it!”

In 2006, the endeavor began. Gerome distributed 300 flags. That grew to the 1,000 she and her family put out this year.

Occasionally, Gerome receives complaints.

“It breaks my spirit a little,” she said. “I try to remember all the people who appreciate it.”

For the most part, community members seem to enjoy it.

“I’ve been doing it for most of my career,” Gerome said. “90% of people are happy about the camaraderie it brings and the sense of community.”

Info: www.heartofcda.com or aimee@heartofcda.com