For more than two decades, the LED American Flag over the Torch River Bridge has stood as a powerful symbol of remembrance, community pride, and patriotism.
Originally created in 2002 in remembrance of September 11th, the flag was brought to life through the efforts of many community members who came together to create something truly special. Kenny Crampton, who passed away in 2017, fabricated the original stainless steel structure for the flag, leaving behind a lasting contribution that continues to mean so much to the Torch River community.
What began as a display using incandescent Christmas lights has evolved over the years. Around 2014, the flag was converted to LED lighting, helping make the display brighter, more efficient, and longer lasting. Today, the flag includes approximately 1,500 faceted C7 LED Christmas light bulbs, 1,150 feet of cable on the flag itself, nearly 2,000 feet of cable throughout the entire project including guy cables, and 170 feet of stainless steel tubing.
Year after year, the flag remains in place over the bridge as a tribute to the lives lost on 9/11 and as a celebration of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. It has become an important part of the area’s identity, especially around Independence Day, when the Torch Lake Sandbar fills with people gathering to enjoy the annual July 3rd fireworks.
After eight years since the bulbs were last replaced, the flag was ready for another refresh. The structure also needed attention after being damaged by a truck that was too tall to pass underneath. Many of the LED bulbs had become faded, broken, or filled with water, making it the right time to restore the display and bring it back to life.
With the 250th anniversary of America’s independence being celebrated on July 4th, we were honored to take part in helping decorate the bridge in the most patriotic way possible. Projects like this are about more than lights, cable, and steel. They are about tradition, remembrance, community, and pride.
We are grateful to be part of a project that means so much to so many people, and we are proud to help keep this special tradition shining bright over the Torch River Bridge.
