Karen Mikols, Hays Daily News Reporter

A red, white and blue American flag flaps merrily in the breeze in front of Jerry and Kathy Ubert’s house 365 days a year.  In the garage behind the couple's home, more than 400 American flags wait for the five days a year they are unrolled for a few hours of freedom.  They do not fly in the Ubert's yard, but at homes around Hays.

The endeavor is a Kiwanis project that began with 70 flags in 2000 and gained popularity after Sept. 11, 2001.  "When Sept. 11 happened, a member called to say we should put flags out, "Jerry said.  "I said it is either all or none.  Later he called and said he had enough for tomorrow morning."

So the flags went up Sept. 12.  Then, the club decided to hoist the flags again for the nationally declared Flag Day on Sept. 13.  The project bloomed.

For $25 a year, the Kiwanis club puts flags up at sunrise and retires them around sunset on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.  "Some people send in $30 or $35 and say 'You're too cheap,' " Jerry said.  Others enjoy the service so much they purchase a year of flag flying for family or friends for birthdays or Christmas.

In the beginning, three routes were enough, now, Jerry said he has 11 routes, with two volunteers each.  Each route has a notebook with the location of the flag hole.  The project is popular, but Jerry said the club limits flags to within the city limits of Hays.