Billy Stewart is known as “The Flagman” throughout the community due to the fact that he stands at the corner of Walnut St. and SE. Riverside Dr. in front of the Korean War Memorial every week since 2011 waving his American flags at passersby.
He also surrounds himself with flags that he stakes into the ground in support of our troops and in support of the United States Constitution. He is faithful and passionate with his purpose.
When people drive by, they honk all day to show their support of Billy, and Billy always waves at those who acknowledge him. But people don’t just acknowledge him.
Not too long ago, someone stole Billy’s bicycle, but when word got out, people in the community pulled together and bought him a new bicycle.
Discovering that Billy was homeless, a local group prayed for Billy, and gathered enough donations so that he could purchase his own home.
When asked what Billy is doing out there, he responds with statements like, “They told me to support the troops, and my country, and the Constitution, and that’s why I’m here, to remind people.”
Well Billy, you can rest assured that the effort you put in every day serves as a wake-up call to all of us who are caught up in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, and that you bring a reminder to us of how we can count our many blessings due to the freedom we have in this country given to us by God, fought for and won by our troops, and written in our Constitution.
We, at The Vanderburgh Independent Press express our gratitude to you for what you do to make a difference in this community, and we congratulate you for winning the first of its kind, The Terminator Award, in honor of activist, constitutionalist, historian, and beloved friend, Berniece Tirmenstein who passed away in June.
In honor of Berniece, The Vanderburgh Independent Press will be issuing the monthly “Terminator Award” to those who go out of their way to make a difference in the local community. Billy is awarded with a plaque with his name on it, lunch with the Editor of The VIP, and a VIP care package.
If you would like to enter a possible “Terminator Award Winner” to The VIP based on the difference they are making around you, please send your contact information and their story, along with any “Caught-In-The-Act” photos to the vipnewsroom@zoho.com.
