New Flags For Belle Isle

On America’s 236^th birthday, Old Glory will fly proudly on Belle Isle.

John Armaly, Jr., President of Armaly Brands, saw to that.

“The flags look absolutely fantastic compared to what they used to be,” Armaly told us.

“Tattered” was what they used to be.

And as retired military, Armaly couldn’t accept seeing that on the Island he loved, growing up in Detroit.

As President of a successful family-owned business, replacing the flags and providing flag service on Belle Isle was an opportunity for the company.

Armaly Brands, based in Walled Lake, is the manufacturer and marketer and consumer and commercial-grade sponges and cleaning products including Brillo.

“We took the resources that we’ve been able to amass over the years and give something back and we thought that Belle Isle was the place to do that,” Armaly said.

On June 14^th, Flag Day, the tattered flag near the entrance of Belle Isle – and the one along the back of the Island – came down – replaced with brand new flags in a ceremony conducted with the help of other military veterans.

“It’s a proud moment for us—and it’s a proud moment for me as a military person. Saluting this flag is an important thing for this country. The people that caused this flag to be here started in 1776 – Patrios that fought for the Independence of the United States and that flag was left after all those battles were won.”

The new flags are larger – properly sized for the poles that enable them to fly freely over the Island Park.

Belle Isle is America’s largest city-owned Island Park but its splendor has dimmed—in part because of Detroit’s financial distress.

“On behalf of Mayor Bing and our director, Lori Cunningham, thanks to Armaly Brands for providing this service for us.  Any assistance the city can get, be it good times or bad times, people care about this city and they always look to come and help us out. This is very appreciative,” said Kevin Flournoy of the Detroit Recreation Department.