For the Flag
Jim Keown walks miles and miles with an American flag on his shoulder to thank Bowling Green, Ky. veterans for their service
As the city of Bowling Green, Ky. wakes up with the sunrise, Jim Keown is finishing his first walk of the day. After the American flags were taken down around Bowling Green City Hall, Keown saw a need to show his appreciation to a community he feels has been neglected. You can spot him with an American flag hauled over his shoulder as he walks down the busy Scottsville Road, a backroad behind WKU’s campus, or even on the interstate. After walking miles upon miles with a single flag, Keown presents the flag to a veteran in his community.
Jim Keown starts every morning at 4 a.m. with a long walk around the streets of Bowling Green, Ky. with the American flag hauled over his shoulder. He usually walks alone with nothing but the music in his headphones, the roar of the road, and the occasional well-intentioned honk of motorists to keep him company.
Before clocking in at 7:30 a.m. at Med Center Health in downtown Bowling Green, Keown usually walks at least three miles. On a good day, he says he tracks up to 13,000 steps before noon.
Keown has spent nearly 21 years working in the hospital, climbing his way from custodial staff to a chemotherapy lab assistant. His first flag was presented to one of his patients, Johnny L. Russell, on Dec. 17, 2001.
A custom Funko Pop figurine sits proudly on Keown’s windowsill at the hospital. His co-workers surprised him with the gift for Christmas to recognize the hard work he puts into his passion project.
Keown runs bloodwork for a patient before sending the results off to the main lab of the hospital. Keown makes frequent trips throughout the halls to do his job. “It just gets me extra steps,” he said.
Between returning home for the evening or transitioning to his second job at the local jail, Keown gets back out to the streets. He coined the term “Flags for Vets” and makes sure to wear his hoodie each time he walks.
As much as he tries to keep the flags pristine, Keown doesn’t mind a few scuffs here and there. He said the flags reflect the sacrifices of veterans.
If he’s lucky, Keown will be asleep by 11 p.m. before waking up to do it all again. “People thought I was crazy when I first started this,” said Keown. “When you’re passionate about something, you gotta do what you gotta do.”
