Follow The Flag

To say it was love at first sight would be an understatement. On 11/11/18 Big Betsy first flew in Coldwater Canyon in North Ogden, UT. Providing healing to our hearts after the lost of Maj. Brent Taylor, pride in our country and a resolve to find unity in a divisive time, the flag changed lives in the short week it flew above our city. From the young children to our oldest veterans, we loved to see the flag fly. Today we announce that Follow the Flag will have a team based in North Ogden. We will be raising the funds to purchase a flag the size of Big Betsy 150’x 78’, a 30’X60’ “Little Betsy” and dozens of 3x5 flags to line roads etc. We will also purchase a spotlight, riggings and supplies to hang the flag. First and foremost, our mission as an official Follow The Flag Team will be to display this patriotism in North Ogden. Secondly, we will be prepared to mobilize and support other communities like ours that need the emotional boost this flag provides. We will “pay it forward” and inspire future teams to do the same. With the help from our community and all who take pride in this flag, we will have our own flag to inspire our city to remember this unforgettable week we’ve shared together.

Our beloved Big Betsy was not able to withstand the storm that blew through Grove Creek Canyon in Pleasant Grove on the evening of July 4th, 2019. Old wounds, big and small, compromised her integrity, and she has been tattered beyond repair.  

Our hearts are broken, but we know growth can come from heartache if we band together and keep moving forward. So many of you know these giant flags are custom made, and costly and are asking how to donate toward a new flag. We thank you!

Last fall Big Betsy flew in North Ogden’s Coldwater Canyon in honor of their beloved mayor, Major Brent Taylor.  We have come full circle as The Major now heals our hearts and  flies in Big Betsy’s place. 

North Ogden, Pleasant Grove thanks you! We are honored, healed and inspired. 

After seeing The Major in North Ogden’s Cherry Days Parade yesterday,  Pleasant View resident Kory Woodland penned the following poem:

Big Besty hung helpless all tattered and torn,
but was rescued by her brother on the day he was born 

He woke to a crowd who were lining the streets,
with their hands on their hearts as they rose from their seats

Such a warm welcome as his stars and broad stripes passed them by,
Not knowing that night he would be asked if he’d fly  

“Of course” said the flag with no expectations of fame, 
The Major would do it and I carry his name 

No storm will defeat us, no wind will prevail,
We will wave to our people we were not made to fail

So the brother stepped up and hung in her place,
all the people were cheering as the tears rolled down their face 

Some may not know that the flags ever got switched,
but we know who our hero is while Betsy gets re sewn and stitched

“I love you Sis” 
to me you are more than a tattered old rag,
That’s why here in America we will always honor and Follow the Flag!


PC: Jason Robison