Great American Flag Project comes to Spaceport America

Volunteers gathered at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences on March 13 to unfurl and clean one of the largest American flags ever created as part of an effort to preserve the historic banner for future displays. 

The flag, measuring 420 feet wide by 211 feet long, was spread across the apron of the spaceport’s horizontal launch area during a three-day effort that brought nearly 200 volunteers to the remote Sierra County facility. It came on a pickup truck all the way from Pennsylvania, weighing up to 15,000 pounds.  

The project is led by the Great American Flag Preservation Group, a nonprofit organization working to maintain the massive flag and prepare it for possible displays tied to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations.  

“This flag was created during a time of political polarization in the 1970s,” said Josh Dorfman, director of the Great American Flag Preservation Group. “The founder wanted to do something that would bring the country together, and that’s really what we want to do now.”  

The flag was made its first appearance in 1976 during the United States bicentennial celebration. Dorfman said his family later acquired the historic flag through a federal auction and has worked to preserve it for future generations.  

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Dorfman said. “Every time we get it unfurled, I remember just how special it is.” 

Spaceport America hosted the preservation effort, providing the large open space needed to handle the massive flag.  Hurley said hosting the effort also provided an opportunity to highlight the state’s unique aerospace facility.  

“When you’re displaying or cleaning something that’s about two acres in size, you need a large area to do it,” said Charles Hurley, public information officer for Spaceport America.  “This is really a unique opportunity for the state of New Mexico,” Hurley said. 

Volunteers spent the weekend carefully cleaning sections of the flag before it was folded and prepared for transport.  Among them was volunteer Ryan Ball, who said seeing the massive banner stretched across the ground was an unforgettable experience.  

“It’s incredible to see something that large in person,” Ball said.  

Dorfman said the goal of the project is to preserve the historic flag so it can continue appearing at events across the country. 

“The flag belongs to everybody,” Dorfman said. “We hope it can help bring people together.” 

Organizers said the effort is part of a broader mission to maintain the historic banner, so it can continue serving as a national symbol for years to come.