Costco Connection

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President and COO: Scott Liberman

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_By _Chris _PenttilaEmployees: 350 to 400 HAVE YOU HEARD of the Valley Forge Flag Com- and provides poles, brackets and other accessories. ^{Headquarters:}pany? If not, you’ve certainly seen its handiwork. “The custom business has been a significant ⁸⁷⁵ ^Berkshire ^Blvd., ^Suite ¹⁰¹On any given day, one of its U.S. flags might fly growth part of our business,” says Liberman, who is ^Wyomissing, ^PA ^19610-1246proudly over the White House or the Capitol joined in the family business by his uncle Larry Phone: 1-800-352-4435 Building. The company’s flags have flown over U.S. Liberman, executive vice president of sales, and his _Website:military installations and consulates all over the sister Deborah Bergman, the company’s chief finan- _{www.valleyforgeflag.com}world, and have draped the caskets of presidents cial officer. including Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson and The special relationship Americans have with ^Products ^at ^Costco:John F. Kennedy. the U.S. flag is one reason the company’s flags ^Flag ^kits ^{(U.S. flag,} ^pole ^and“It’s almost [a question of] where hasn’t it been are entirely made in the USA from sourcing to ^mounting ^bracket) ^availableflown,” says Scott Liberman, presi- sewing. The company operates ⁱⁿ ^all ^warehouses ^throughdent and COO of the fourth- four manufacturing facilities ^{July 3}generation family company and within 90 minutes of Charleston, ^Comments ^about ^Costco:great-grandson of the founder. “It’s South Carolina, and purchases the “^You ^can ^really ^trust ^thathard to even narrow it down. bulk of its raw materials from sup- ^their ^employees ^operate ^withWe’re very proud of all the places it pliers in the Carolinas. ^a ^significant ^amount ^of ^integ-does fly.” If you’ve ever wondered what ^rity. ^And ^they ^pass ^on ^all ^ofPennsylvania-based Valley goes into constructing a U.S. flag, ^their ^cost ^savings ^directly ^toForge Flag Company traces its the answer is a lot of well-honed ^their ^consumer.” history back to 1882, when it was precision. Sourcing the best mate- ^—^Scott ^Libermanin the burlap bag business. After rials and then dyeing and finish-World War I, the company entered ing them correctly are important the government surplus business, _COURTESY _NASA/BUZZ _ALDRINto make sure the flag stands up to and U.S. flags were among the the elements. Keeping the distinct surplus items it purchased from the government parts of the U.S. flag square and in proportion for resale. “People kept coming back for the flags,” can be tricky too. “What’s important is trying to Liberman says. keep that flag, by the time it comes off the line and Realizing how popular flags were, the company you’re looking at it, in proportion correctly,” purchased a textile mill and opened a flag manufac- says company vice president Chris Binner. “That’s turing plant in Spring City, Pennsylvania, during the hard part.” the height of the Great Depression. The mill The company’s employees know they’ve sewn was located less than 5 miles from Valley Forge up a special job. “It makes me a proud American to National Historical Park, Liberman explains, hence know we are sewing flags here instead of overseas,” management dubbed the company Valley Forge says Kim Killian, vice president of operations. “We Flag Company Inc. are keeping an industry alive that for all practical During World War II, it expanded purposes has gone outside the United States. Every ^NATIONAL ^{ARCHIVES/ WWII PHOTO} ^#156into government and military contract- label I sew in a U.S. flag that says ‘M I T Above: Marines raise the U.S. ing, which remains a steady part of USA”’ makes me even prouder to be a part of Valley flag on Iwo Jima in one of the business today alongside the Forge Flag Company.” C history’s most-famous photos. company”s fast-growing custom Above left: Apollo 11’s Buzz flag-design business, which Chris Penttila is a freelance business journalist Aldrin poses next to the flag creates flags for advertising based in Alexandria, Virginia. on the moon. Flag etiquette

VALLEY FORGE Flag  When flying the U.S. flag along- flags to their peaks before lowering Company offers these side those of other countries, make them to half-staff. The U.S. flag is tips to fly the U.S. flag sure both flags fly at the same raised first and lowered last. correctly. height and are the same size.  U.S. flags flown at night should  In a public venue,  The U.S. flag should be in the never fly in the dark. Always use a the U.S. flag should be center of a group of flags only when spotlight directed at the flag. positioned to the right of the center pole is taller than the  Treat all flags with respect. the speakers or on the others. For more tips on flag display, you wall behind them.  If one flag is flying at half-staff, can visit www.valleyforgeflag.com/ so should any other flags. Raise all 45/Etiquette.htm. C