More than 100 join family’s celebration of patriotism, spirit

FLORENCE — More than 100 people gathered at Jahn and Colleen Hultgren’s home in Florence to participate in what has become a tradition of fellowship and waving the American flag along Interstate 95.
For the past six years, the Hultgrens have invited families to their home to celebrate Independence Day by playing games, enjoying good food and showing their patriotism.

Colleen Hultgren said the idea to wave flags on I-95 came after Sept. 11.

“My husband and I ... felt compelled to do something patriotic, so we ended up going out to that I-95 bridge and just waved the American flag,” Collen Hultgren said. “Somehow it made us feel better.

“It was just a way to connect with other people who were really grieving (and dealing) with what happened,” she said. “We felt so connected with perfect strangers with a flag between us.”

From there it grew into inviting Florence residents who didn’t have immediate family close enough to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Both of the Hultgren’s families live in South Dakota, so the day was a way for the Hultgrens to bring other families together.

“The Fourth of July for both of us has always been a family day with immediate and extended family, but we don’t have that here,” Colleen Hultgren said. “At the beginning we connected with families we knew who didn’t have extended family here together and it just grew from there.”

She said there were about 20 or 30 people the first year, and it has grown to more than 100 people and has become a tradition for all who attend.

The day also has been about unity and people setting aside their differences, whatever they might be, to show their support and love for the country, she said.

Before heading to I-95, Jahn Hultgren encouraged all who attended to think about what America means to them.

“When you wave that flag by the interstate today think of what our country stands for,” he said to the participants. “We are a great country.”

For Florence resident Pat Bradley and her family, the day was one she said they couldn’t miss.

Bradley, who is originally from West Virginia, said she enjoys spending time with other families and participating in an event that has brought so many people together.