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Minnesota woman urges others to fly flag Page 1 of 2 <br />news freetirne - travel - homezone - cars shopping - working <br />metro i region nation i world - politics - business - sports variety - opinion - fun & games - talk <br />Minnesota woman urges others to fly flag <br />Jill Burcum, Star Tribune <br />Published March 24, 2003 <br />index <br />war on terror <br />history of iraq <br />web resources <br />photographs <br />multimedia <br />biographies <br />talk <br />archive <br />stories <br />photo reprints <br />projects <br />ap news <br />national <br />world <br />contact us <br />corrections <br />feedback <br />FLAG24 <br />Now that southern Minnesota is decked out in stars and stripes, a <br />woman from Le Sueur wants to see the Twin Cities draped in red, white <br />and blue, too. <br />Lois Hutton, whose son Robert is an Army sergeant serving in Iraq, said <br />she was inspired last week during prayer to get more flags flying in <br />support of troops and their families. She began buttonholing city <br />officials across southern Minnesota to haul out the flags normally used <br />to decorate Main Street in towns for Memorial Day and July 4. <br />With flags now flying in about 11 cities in southern Minnesota and <br />northern Iowa, Hutton now feels ready to take on the Twin Cities. <br />Her vision is that of a metro area where those with loved ones serving in <br />Iraq see Old Glory no matter where they turn. And, where soldiers <br />returning home in the months ahead see colorful proof that they were <br />supported during their Middle East mission. <br />"I've got to keep rolling on this. It's something <br />positive we can all do for our troops," said <br />Hutton, who has 10 flags and a "God Bless <br />America" sign in her front yard off U.S. 169 in <br />Le Sueur. <br />This week, Hutton plans to start calling and <br />sending e -mail to officials in Minneapolis, St. <br />Paul and metro suburbs to request that their municipal flags are <br />displayed. She has already contacted Gov. Tim Pawlenty about her <br />crusade. <br />A campaign to fly the flag <br />John Cross <br />Mankato Free Press <br />Although she said she hasn't heard back from his office, she is confident <br />that he and other officials will support her. <br />"People have got to walk out their door and see the flag flying. It's such <br />a easy and positive to way to say, 'Hey, were there for you,' " said <br />Hutton, 50. <br />She knows well how stressful times are for military families. News <br />reports of the fighting have left her shaken. Her husband, Robert Hutton <br />Sr., is an over - the -road trucker so Hutton often copes on her own with <br />fears about her son's safety. <br />Prayer brought her peace. Last Tuesday, when the flag idea came to her, <br />Hutton acted: "I needed to do more for my son and the troops' families." <br />She took time off her job as administrative assistant at Davisco Foods <br />Related content <br />Protesters <br />block access to <br />Coleman's <br />office <br />® Tell us your <br />stories <br />Minnesota <br />Muslims <br />express war <br />concerns <br />lb Minneapolis <br />women create a <br />place to bring <br />people together <br />B Minneapolis - <br />based agency <br />ready to help <br />refugees <br />Ni Faith <br />communities <br />respond to Iraq <br />19 Iraqi war has <br />an impact on <br />Minnesota <br />public- safety <br />agencies <br />Kt Slide show: <br />Thousands rally <br />at Capitol to <br />support troops <br />Utilities <br />49 Email this story <br />@ Print this story <br />6 Make us your <br />homepage <br />Search <br />INews <br />More search options <br />