Dorris Lions Club
Dorris Lions Club
Dorris Lions Club will host Robert Heft's visit in 2010, during its annual Fourth of July Community Celebration.
What is the rest of Robert Heft's story?
In 1958, Bob Heft, a high school junior, designed a 50-star flag for an American history class project. At that time the American Flag had only 48 stars, but there had been talk of adding Alaska to the Union. Heft had surmised another state might be added also. He was right; Hawaii was admitted soon afterward.
For his project Heft used the 48-star flag his parents had received as a wedding gift, with no idea of just how precious that flag was to them. He cut out the 48 stars, made an addtional two stars and sewed them onto a new fabric field he had purchased for $2.87. He didn't know how to sew, and his mother wasn't willing to help him. In fact, when she walked into the kitchen and found him cutting up the wedding gift, she had a fit!
Heft was in trouble and on his own. He went into the basement where his mom's treadle Singer sewing machine was located. It was his first sewing experience, and, so far, his last. He didn't know how to baste or tack, so he taped the stars into place. It wasn't a pretty sight!
After 12 and-a-half hours of hard work, he delivered his 50-star flag project to Mr. Stanley Pratt's desk. His teacher was unimpressed; he assumed Heft didn't even know how many stars should be on the flag. He said the creation lacked originality and decided Heft had only earned a grade of "B-." When Heft expressed serious disappointment, the teacher challenged him to get the flag accepted in Washington and promised he might consider raising Heft's grade if that ever happened.
NEWS FLASH: FIFTY YEARS OF FIFTY STARS!
Accepting the challenge, Heft took his 50-star flag to his congressman, Walter Moeller, Ohio 10th Congressional District, to take to Washington and submit to the U.S. Flag Selection Committee. Heft relentlessly pursued getting his flag considered as the next official American Flag. He placed numerous calls and wrote many letters to the White House.
His persistence finally paid off! Early in 1960, Heft received a telephone call from President Dwight Eisenhower telling him his flag had been chosen. The president asked him to attend the adoption ceremony of his flag on July 4th of that same year. Heft sat on a stage with President Eisenhower during the program.
When he returned home, he immediately visited his high school teacher to tell him the news. Mr. Pratt agreed he would change his grade to an "A." Heft now has the gradebook with his "A" recorded, stored for safe-keeping in his personal lockbox at the local bank.
Since those early days, Heft has traveled to speak in all 50 states in the Union and to at least 57 countries around the world. He has been a White House visitor 14 times, under nine Presidents of the United States. He has appeared on many television programs with world leaders and entertainers. He retired in 1998 after 32 years of teaching high school and college. A motivational speaker for young and old alike, he is a member of the Michigan Lions Clubs.
Bob Heft has been quoted as saying: "Make every minute count in school and in life. You just never know how life will turn out. If you believe in what you are doing, never let anybody discourage you. Follow your dreams!" Bob Heft has definitely taken his own advice.
The year 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of this 50-star flag. It was accepted by the United States Congress in 1960. This is the longest any flag has served the nation. Bob Heft will be in Dorris July 4, 2010, to salute our 30 x 60-foot-flag and speak during celebration ceremonies.
Plan now for this unique opportunity to hear one of America's patriotic heroes: Robert Heft, Saginaw, Michigan.
Listen to a brief account of Bob's story in his own words, here.
ROBERT HEFT shown with his extensive flag collection.
