UNLESS FIRST WE DREAM
The Story of The Great American Flag
On 4 July 1876, the “Tall Ships” representing most of the world’s nations sailed into New York Harbor to kick off America’s Centennial. The Tall Ships would repeat their parade for America’s Bicentennial one hundred years later. This time, the Verrazano Narrows bridge, the largest suspension bridge in the world, spanned the harbor entrance. And, befitting the occasion, an American flag, three times larger than any flag ever made, was to hang from the bridge to welcome the Tall Ships and the world to America’s biggest birthday party.
It had begun six months earlier, over the year-end holidays, Pierre LeDuc, a Montréaler who had worked with Len Silverfine at Grey Advertising’s Montréal office, was visiting his friend at Len’s home in Warren, Vermont. It was a windless evening, snow falling in big flakes, making for a classic New England scene. They were in Len’s renovated barn, warmed by an old parlor stove, enjoying a nice red wine.
Pierre had expressed how delightful this small village appeared and how it must be lovely to live in, which prompted Len to brag about life in Warren… “… famous for its Fourth of July parade and celebration…people go all out to create floats to pull behind their pickups hoping to win first prize.”
Of course, mentioning a contest to Pierre was a challenge to be taken.
“How about we make the biggest firecracker and pull it behind your pickup?
“America has been trying to live that one down for 30 years.”
“OK, then the biggest flag…?”
“How are we going to pull that behind my pickup?”
“We could roll it down the ski slope.”
“Too far from town…maybe we could pull it behind a small plane?”
Ugh, Len thought. He much preferred to party on The Fourth. Trying to win first prize meant a lot of work. Len hoped that Pierre would forget about this when he returned to Montréal.
The following week, riding the ski lift by himself on a near-perfect snow day, thinking about his life and family, Len recalled his father’s migration to America in 1909 and his great joy of sailing into New York Harbor and seeing the fabled Statue of Liberty, and there it was.
The place for the world’s largest flag, the American Flag, welcoming the Tall Ships, was at the entrance to New York Harbor on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
About The Author
Len Silverfine
Len Silverfine was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1937. Ebbets Field home to Brooklyn’s pride was just up Bedford Avenue. Len’s most cherished memory was watching Jackie Robinson being “walked”. Stealing second. Then third. The stands erupting. Finally, the drama as Jackie dashed HOME, and SAFE!
His family moved to Queens in 1951, where Len was enrolled at Forest Hills High. After high school, he attended nearby Queens College, (tuition $50/semester). He majored in Phys. Ed., played goalie on the soccer team, warmed the bench of the basketball team, captained the volleyball team and had two after-school jobs for pocket money.
About The Book
UNLESS FIRST WE DREAM
The Story of The Great American Flag
Our story begins in the run up to America’s Bicentennial, and how an idea for a float in a small Vermont village parade ballooned into the making of a giant American flag to be hung on the world’s largest bridge at the entrance to New York Harbor welcoming the Tall Ships and the World to America’s biggest birthday party.
So captivating was the idea in an America still not over the disillusionment of the Vietnam War, and the shock of the Watergate betrayal that it seduced those involved that should have known, or had their doubts, that when the original positioning of the flag, freely hanging from the bridge close to the Brooklyn tower was nixed by the Coast Guard just weeks before Op Sail that no one wanted to abandon the idea. They were left with the only alternative a fixed position within the cable suspender ropes. In its trial run six days prior to OP SAIL, on a gentle summer morning the giant flag was raised and awed onlookers along the Brooklyn shoreline and in cars crossing the upper level of the bridge.
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UNLESS FIRST WE DREAM
The Story of The Great American Flag
This is the scroll presented to President Reagan in the “Gifting Ceremony” at the White House. The Gifting ceremony was on Flag Day, June 14 1983. It clearly states that The Great Flag is to inspire and bring Americans together (post-Watergate and Vietnam). We have become even more, much more, divided today, increasing the need for this unifying huge symbol, our “Stars & Stripes.”
What Readers Say
This is a good story about passion, patience and commitment, the inspirational elements needed to complete lofty goals.
Here’s an old-fashioned message from an old-fashioned patriot that gives a clear clarion call for the survival of our country as we know it. He has an answer that is not political and should be embraced by all. And for anyone who has a dream that they want to see come to fruition, Len has written you a guidebook. Enjoy this well written story of the largest and most magnificent flag ever sewn.
Our nation is going through troubled times. Len’s message of how we should be in it together like we were in our glory days is more meaningful and important today than it ever has been.
Terrific book, heroic undertaking. Len Silverfine’s passion to build the Great American Flag came from his burning desire to unite a fractured country behind a common cause. Fifty years later, we can all benefit again from reading his message of unity. The Great American Flag is monolithic and its symbolism is everlasting.
Len Silverfine had a dream, but more, he followed it. And like many dreamers, had no idea where it would take him. This short book takes us on his amazing adventure, complete with great photos that capture the feel of the times, places and people. I enjoyed the memoir of the man who created the Great American Flag, and candidly shared his triumphs and disappointments. But I will not reveal spoilers in this review. Read it and enjoy.
This is an amazing story of what one person with an idea can accomplish when they devote a huge amount of energy and dedication to the project. Len Silverfine created something that should be a huge inspiration to every American.
