‘After All They’ve Done…’ How 11-Year-Old Ethan Transformed His Town To Honor Local Heroes
Inspired by his veteran granddad, Ethan, 11, launched an incredible town-wide flag movement
Key Takeaways
- 11-year-old Ethan Nesbit wanted to honor his Navy veteran grandfather's service.
- Ethan pitched his "Patriotic in Plum" flag project directly to local council leaders.
- The project raised $3,000 to place American-made flags along a major town highway.
After learning how a nearby town was spotlighting military heroes, 11-year-old Ethan Nesbit decided to find a way to show his support and pride as well. Here, he shares his story with Woman’s World.
“Mom and Dad, why doesn’t our town have these?” 11-year-old Ethan Nesbit asked as he observed the display of flags attached to lampposts.
In the Murrysville suburb of Pittsburgh — not far from Ethan’s hometown of Plum — the town officials hung flags during patriotic seasons. The flags decorated a 2.5-mile stretch of highway, and Ethan always admired them as his parents drove by.
Ethan’s grandfather served in the United States Navy during Vietnam, and Ethan developed a strong sense of patriotism from his “Pappap.”
“After all they’ve done, they deserve to be honored!” Ethan thought as he realized Plum needed to honor veterans too.
Ethan asked his parents, Jim and Anna Nesbit, how he could put up flags in Plum.
“Try writing a letter to the city council!” Anna suggested.
Ethan sat down and wrote a proposal, which he later read aloud in front of the council.
“I want to show support for the military, past and present, and our nation,” Ethan read to the city leaders in 2024.
The borough soon approved his idea. That started the project Ethan named Patriotic in Plum. He raised $3,000 from supporters in veteran groups, community members and businesses to purchase American-made flags.
Along Mike Thomas Way, a major thoroughfare, officials installed 14 flags — 3 feet by 5 feet in size — along with the existing purple Hometown Hero banners showing Plum natives who served in the military throughout history.
This year, the flags will be displayed from Memorial Day in May to Veterans Day in November.
All members of the Nesbit family—including Ethan’s little sister, Evelyn — are involved with promoting Patriotic in Plum, and they love visiting Washington, D.C. to learn about the country’s history.
“We feel like we are in the greatest country in the world, and it’s easy to get behind,” Anna says. “As young kids, they are walking through Arlington and talking about the importance of sacrifices. I think we instilled the idea that freedom isn’t free. Whenever you have the ability to give back, you should.”
Roger, Ethan’s grandfather, says Ethan makes him proud.
“He has a drive that just amazes us,” Roger says.
As for Ethan, who is now 13, he wants Plum to serve as a patriotic example to other communities.
“We could never put up too many flags,” says Ethan. “There is really no such thing as being too patriotic!”
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