The Flag on the Hill

If you’ve ever driven west on Frank Phillips Boulevard, you’ve seen it - the American flag displayed proudly on the hill near the old airport. It’s more than a landmark... It’s a living reminder of freedom, of those who fought for it, and of a community that came together to make sure it would always fly.

More than a decade ago, what began as the vision of one became the mission of many. Together, Bartlesville residents built a symbol to honor the values that define both a nation and a community - freedom, unity, and gratitude.

Through the generosity of individuals, foundations, and organizations, the Bartlesville Freedom Flag was born. Funds were raised not only to raise the flag but to maintain it, ensuring it would remain strong and well-lit for generations to come.

It was never just about patriotism. It was a promise that Bartlesville would always remember the price of freedom and the privilege of calling this nation home.

At Westside Community Center, we proudly serve as Bartlesville’s Multicultural Hub, where every culture and story adds to the beauty of who we are.

To some, the flag represents a loved one who served. To others, it stands for the chance to build a new life in a place where dreams can grow. For the many residents who have come to Bartlesville from other nations, it reflects the hope that freedom still offers - the freedom to live, to work, to worship, and to belong.

And for those who have served, or still serve today, it stands as a daily reminder that their sacrifice was not in vain — that their courage continues to give meaning to the freedoms we enjoy.

That’s what makes the Bartlesville Freedom Flag more than fabric and metal. It’s the story of all of us... diverse, determined, and deeply grateful.

Today, that flag still waves over Bartlesville, weathering the wind and seasons just as our community has weathered change and challenge.

A decade ago, Bartlesville residents came together to lift this flag high. Now it’s an opportunity for us to make sure it never falls.

You are invited — residents, families, organizations, and businesses — to contribute to the upkeep and care of the Bartlesville Freedom Flag, ensuring it continues to stand as a beacon of unity and hope for generations to come.

If you’d like to be part of this legacy, donations can be sent to:

City of Bartlesville
Attn: Laura Sanders
401 S. Johnstone Avenue
Bartlesville, OK 74003

Memo line: Funds for Bartlesville Freedom Flag

Freedom isn’t only defended on battlefields or celebrated on holidays. It’s protected every day - through gratitude, through service, and through the way we live out the rights that others gave their lives to secure.

The flag on the hill reminds us that freedom is both a gift and a responsibility. A gift given by those who came before us, and a responsibility to pass it on - untattered, unwavering, and alive.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” - Ronald Reagan