Avenue of Flags facts for kids

The Avenue of Flags is a special park in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It was created to honor American diplomats who were held hostage in Tehran, Iran, during a difficult time from 1979 to 1981. This park is located on the grounds of the Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery and is open for everyone to visit.

What is the Avenue of Flags?

The Avenue of Flags began as a way to show support for American diplomats who were held captive in Iran. It started with just one American flag. Around it were flags representing each of the 50 states.

How the Avenue of Flags Started

The idea for the Avenue of Flags came from Tom Flynn. He owned the Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery, which is right next to the park. On February 11, 1980, it was the 100th day that the American diplomats had been held. Tom Flynn decided to put up 100 flags. He then planned to raise one new flag every day until the hostages were set free.

The American diplomats were held in Iran for a long time. They were captive from November 4, 1979, until January 20, 1981. When they were finally released, there were 444 flags flying. Each flag stood for one day of their captivity.

Honoring Heroes

One special Canadian flag also flies on the Avenue of Flags. This flag is a tribute to the brave Canadians from the Canadian Embassy in Tehran. They risked their own lives to help six of the American hostages escape.

There is also an eternal flame at the park. This flame burns brightly in front of a monument. It honors eight American servicemen who sadly died during a rescue mission. This mission, called Operation Eagle Claw, happened on April 25, 1980, and was an attempt to free the hostages.

Who Manages the Park Now?

Today, the Avenue of Flags is managed by a group called the Non-profit Avenue of Flags Foundation. This foundation makes sure the park continues to honor those it was created for.