Flag flies high to honor area veterans

Jack McClanahan thanks WWII veterans for their service and dedicated the flagpole in their honor at

With great emotion and fanfare, the flag is now flying.
Jack McClanahan, owner of 105 Storage on Texas 105 West in Conroe, recently honored World War II veterans by installing a 120-foot-tall flagpole, from which a 60-foot by 30-foot American flag flutters in the breeze.
"It's the biggest one I could get for these guys," said McClanahan, a 70-year-old Montgomery resident.
More than 200 people gathered for the event May 5, of which approximately 100 were war veterans, representing all branches of the military.
Montgomery resident John Laws, 83, was there.
"The flag means a lot to me," said Laws, who served in the Navy from 1943-54. "I enlisted in the Navy when I was 15, and I did it out of patriotism. I respect the flag and I fought for it."
Judging from the amount of phone calls 105 Storage has been receiving, the flag is making an impact.
"The flag went up and the phone started ringing," McClanahan said. "When people realized why it was there, they started saying 'thank you.' And a high percentage said 'God bless.'"
McClanahan paid more than $25,000 for the flagpole, which is 12-stories high, and another $1,600 for the flag.
Anticipating fading and tearing, McClanahan will replace the flag every six months.
"That flag was put up for the veterans, and every time someone looks at it, they should thank their lucky stars to be free in America," McClanahan said. "Thank you to the veterans for making that happen, and keeping it happening. How do you put a price on something like that?"
McClanahan befriended the veterans a couple of years ago when Brenda Beaven launched Lone Star Honor Flight, an organization that flies World War II veterans to Washington D.C. for a day trip to visit the various memorials.
They began gathering at 105 Storage to talk about their trip. As word spread, more came, and now it's a regular coffee date for up to 100 veterans every Wednesday.
"This started with a couple dozen donuts but now we're up to eight dozen," McClanahan said. "I don't know how many pots of coffee we go through. Veterans from other wars come by to chat. Some visitors aren't veterans but have respect for them."
McClanahan said veterans come from as far as Beaumont and College Station.
"Wednesday is my favorite day of the week," he said.
The final Lone Star Honor Flight is May 22, another reason McClanahan felt compelled to raise the flag.
Originally from Ohio, McClanahan, a married father of four and grandfather of seven, does not have any veterans in his family lineage.
So why the interest?
"My dad and I weren't that close," McClanahan said. "I don't know what it was. He was a father figure, the ruler, I did what he told me to do.
"But this is different. These guys, they're my friends."
It works both ways.
"You don't imagine what he has done for us," Laws said. "I think Jack McClanahan should be voted person of the year in Texas."
Click here to see a photo gallery from the flag unveiling.
Jack McClanahan, 70
Community Connection: Montgomery resident
Career: Owner of 105 Storage in Conroe
Fast Fact: McClanahan recently erected a 120-foot tall flagpole and a 30-foot by 60-foot American flag in honor of war veterans
Quick Quote: "These guys, they're my friends." Jack McClanahan