‘A big hit’: One Lincoln family helping keep the American spirit alive for 21 years

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Every Summer, red, white and blue line the streets of West Lincoln.

They serve as a symbol that the Fourth of July is finally here.

“It’s a big hit! We’ll have people come by, honking the horn, waving,” said Bill Vocasek.

Vocasek has spent the last 21 years installing, caring for and later removing the American flags for the holiday.

Over time, family, friends and volunteers have joined in, turning the project into a community tradition.

Vocasek said the flags mean a lot to the West A Neighborhood.

“I had a lady, several years ago, stop by, and she was crying,” Vocasek said. “I asked, ‘What’s wrong?’ and she said she had a son serving in Afghanistan and it meant a lot to her to have those flags out. You hear so many of those types of stories, and that’s what really drives us to do what we do.”

In the last ten years, Vocasek has passed the torch to his son and grandson.

He said he always makes sure they understand the real reason behind the holiday.

“We went through and talked about it. Explained to them a little bit about why we do what we do,” he said. “The volunteering, to me, is a big part. If we can get the youth to continue those traditions and volunteering and giving back to the community and giving back to the military.”

Many of the flags are showing their age after taking on Nebraska’s weather.

So, the family is hoping others can step up to help keep the tradition alive.

“I’ve had as many as 8-10 flags damaged during some of the storms over the last couple of years,” Vocasek said. “So it’s just the expense of it all and then continual maintenance.”