Along I-43 en route to Milwaukee, there's a sight that's sure to catch your eye: a flag that waves 400 feet above the ground.
"About 60,000 people a day on average go by this flag pole, and it means a lot of different things to different people," explained Ben Salzmann, CEO of Acuity Insurance.
The flag pole, which is the tallest standing flag pole in the country, sits outside of Acuity Insurance in Sheboygan.
"Obviously we hear from a lot of veterans, and it means so much to them as a symbol of recognizing all that they have done to maintain the great freedoms that we have here in this country," said Sheri Murphy, VP of Services and Administration at Acuity Insurance.
The folks that put the pole up at Acuity Insurance say thousands of people have visited the sight over the years just to take in the marvel.
"I knew that it was going to speak to people," Murphy explained.
"We are just so thankful to be in this country," Salzmann said.
Standing nearly 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty, an oversized flag was necessary too. This one is about 9,800 square feet. That makes it larger than a basketball court.
The giant flag has become a landmark in the area.
"[People] know when they hit the sight of our flag pole that their only "X" miles away from their family," Murphy said.
This 420,000 pound pole is actually the fourth attempt at a United States record. The first three had to come down. One actually did so on its own.
"The third one was so rigid that when the wind blew it shook itself apart," Salzmann explained.
But the current version is holding its own. Hopefully, it will continue holding a special place in the hearts of those who appreciate such a symbol the most.
"The rewards that everyone is reaping from this makes it well worth it," Salzmann said.
