A day of firsts

Published 1:30 pm Friday, January 22, 2021

Inauguration Day this past week brought many firsts for the nation. It also brought a first for a Whidbey Island man.

For the first time since inheriting it from his parents, South Whidbey resident Doug Hansen decided to display a large American flag on his garage door Wednesday.

Hansen said the massive flag, which is about five feet by eight feet, was a gift to his parents from the late Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson, who served as a U.S. representative and then senator for Washington state for more than 30 years.

The flag has historical significance. It flew above the White House while Jimmy Carter was president.

Hansen said he thought Wednesday was a momentous occasion to display the flag for the first time since he’s owned it.

The display attracted the attention of Hansen’s neighbors. Monica Guzman commented on the flag’s beauty and the appropriateness of it being displayed on Inauguration Day.