Keeping with tradition, Sun City gets its own flag By Beth Lucas | Special to Independent Newsmedia Flying 60 feet high over Grand and 107th avenues is a first for Sun City – an official community flag. Three prominent flag poles have long been a symbol welcoming residents and guests near the original Sun City site, where thousands gathered to purchase homes captured in an iconic Jan. 1, 1960 photo in the same area. (*See photo of flag, link at end of story) In the middle of 107th Avenue flies the largest, an America flag 10 feet by 14 feet long, with the Arizona flag to the south and the new Sun City flag to the north – both 6 by 9 feet long. Historically, the representation of the “Sun City” flag has changed over the years from an original Sunburst logo of the Del Webb Corporation to other flags featuring logos specific to just one among many community organizations. Responsibility for caring for the flags has also been up in the air, so to speak, with the Sun City PRIDES taking the lead on raising and lowering it in the 1980s, and the Recreation Centers of Sun City taking on the role in later years. Thanks to a coalition of Sun City leaders, a Sun City flag representing the entire community has finally found its place in the spotlight, with the PRIDES once again taking stewardship of the care of all three flags. “The new Sun City flag is designed to capture the spirit of our community, featuring the original Sunburst logo and retro style font, in cheerful colors that celebrate Sun City as the ‘City of Volunteers.’ The flag is inclusive of our entire community and the organizations that come together to make Sun City such a unique and special place,” said Lisa Gray, general manager for the Sun City Home Owners Association. In addition to SCHOA and the PRIDES, the coalition of those involved in this venture also include the SCHOA Foundation, Sun City Posse, and the Condo Owners Association. All five organizations worked to create this flag and have committed to helping to finance the flags as they retire, and new flags are needed. This is truly a team collaboration. In a community with many veterans and a strong sense of patriotism, the responsibility of caring for the flags is taken seriously by the Sun City PRIDES who are careful to treat each flag with respect. Historically the flags are raised each Labor Day and taken down on Memorial Day to protect them from the elements during the hot summer and monsoon season. This will continue along with three volunteers who will assist, to ensure each flag is handled appropriately, never touching the ground, as it rises into the sky and later back down. The PRIDES will also lower to half-staff on important occasions, said John Terko, president of the group. “The flags are a prominent piece of our history, and we are proud to be caregivers and treat each of the three flags with the respect they deserve,” Terko said. “I encourage you to drive by and take a look at the Sun City flag, and we hope it inspires pride to live in our community.” The cost of maintaining the flags, and replacing those that are retired, is an expense the community can help the Coalition maintain. Each flag cost hundreds of dollars but it’s a tradition that our leadership coalition felt needed to be continued. An opportunity has been opened to those who would like to help financially keep this tradition alive. While the PRIDES will maintain the flags, donations should be made to the PRIDES who will set aside all donations designated for the flags in a special account to be used only for this effort. Donations can be mailed to Sun City Prides at PO Box 1463, Sun City, AZ 85372. # Sun City Independent posted online Monday, March 31, 2025 No subscription required. See photo of the flag. https://www.yourvalley.net/sun-city...h-tradition-sun-city-gets-its-own-flag,572462
