Arizona man gets help replacing American flag in time for 4th of July

July 4, 2025 WOL

Russ Perry said he wasn’t able to make the 25 foot climb to replace his flag, so he thought he would try asking his local fire department for help.

GILBERT, Ariz. — It’s that time of year for fireworks, great food and displaying the American flag for Independence Day, the United States of America’s 249th birthday.

For Russ Perry, a longtime Gilbert resident, he needed some help with his display before Friday. That’s when he had the idea to ask his local fire department for some assistance.

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He said within an hour, a crew was out to his home with a firetruck ready to help.

“It was very meaningful and appreciated,” Perry said.

Perry said for the last 40 years, he’s proudly displayed the American flag in front of his home and only takes it down if it starts to tear. That was the case on Tuesday when he noticed he needed to change out his flag for a new one and wanted to get it down before Independence Day.

Perry said he drove to a business in Phoenix, picked up a new flag and drove back to Gilbert. However, when he went to take down the old one, he said the rope broke.

“I thought, well, I’ll get my ladder and I started looking at the height, and it’s like, no, I don’t think that’s going to work,” Perry said.

Not wanting to risk getting hurt climbing to the top of a 25-foot flag pole, Perry thought he would go to a place where he knew they had the right equipment. So, he asked firefighters at Gilbert Fire Station One for help, making it clear he didn’t have an emergency but was just hoping for some assistance.

“It doesn’t hurt to ask,” Perry said. “All they can do is say no.”

Perry said the battalion chief at the station said they could help out. Within an hour, Perry said a crew of four firefighters and their firetruck pulled up in front of his house. Not only did they replace the rope and flag, but they also spray-painted the eagle on top.

“It’s as good as new,” he said. “It was something that I would have either not been able to do at all, or broke my neck trying to do it so I appreciate their help.”

Perry is incredibly thankful for firefighters helping him in his time of need and for a day he will never forget.

“It’ll always be a memorable Fourth of July for this little extra event here,” Perry said.

12News reached out to a firefighter at Station One for an interview; however, the battalion chief said the crew that helped Perry were on a shift change and were off the clock for the next couple of days.

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