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LADY DUVERA Hakvoort Shipyard

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A General Description of Motor Yacht LADY DUVERA

This motor yacht LADY DUVERA is a superyacht of generous proportions. This 44 m (143 ft) luxury yacht was manufactured by Hakvoort Shipyard in 2000. LADY DUVERA was formerly called the project or yacht name Bn226. Superyacht LADY DUVERA is a beautiful yacht that is able to accommodate as many as 10 passengers on board and has around 9 crew members. The naval architecture office whom authored the drawings for the yacht was Diana Yacht Design. Felix Buytendijk in addition was responsible for her interior design.

LADY DUVERA offers a perfect balance of classical and avant-garde styling.

Building & Design for Luxury Yacht LADY DUVERA

The yacht's general design work came from Diana Yacht Design. The formal naval architecture plans are the work of Diana Yacht Design. Motor Yacht LADY DUVERA received her stylish interior designing from the interior design firm of Felix Buytendijk. In 2000 she was actually launched to accolade in Monnickendam and following sea trials and final completion was thereafter passed on to the owner. Hakvoort Shipyard completed their new build motor yacht in the Netherlands. Her main hull was built out of steel. The motor yacht superstructure component is made for the most part from aluminium. With a beam of 8.81 m or 28.9 feet LADY DUVERA has fairly large room. A fairly shallow draught of 2.9m (9.5ft) determines the number of overall ports she can enter, contingent on their individual depth at low tide.

M/Y LADY DUVERA Engines & Speeds:

The motor yacht contains twin efficient CATERPILLAR main engine(s) and can touch a impressive top speed underway of around 14 knots. The main engine of the ship produces 918 horse power (or 675 kilowatts). Her total HP is 1836 HP and her total Kilowatts are 1351. Her propulsion units are twin screw propellers. As for the yacht’s stabalisers she was built with Koopnautic. Concerning bow thruster maneuverability she utilises Cramm. The boat’s high cruising speed is 13 knots which gives a range of 4000.

Superyacht LADY DUVERA Has Accommodation:

Bestowing space for a maximum of 10 yacht guests overnighting, the LADY DUVERA accommodates them comfortably. She also has room for around 9 professional crew members to manage.

A List of the Specifications of the LADY DUVERA:

Further Information On The Yacht

In October 2009 LADY DUVERA visited Vallauris, in France. This motor yacht also cruised the waters encompassing Département des Alpes-Maritimes during October 2009. Heinen & Hopman was the outfit that installed the A/C on the yacht. This motor yacht has a teak deck.

LADY DUVERA Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht LADY DUVERA displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

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Creative Director, Hans-Maarten Bais, explains the Diana Yacht Design philosophy: “A strong core team and personal approach to the way we interact with clients is the cornerstone of the business, and we have expertise across all disciplines in-house. "

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Lady Duvera III

43 m / 141′.

Lady Duvera III 43M / 141′

What can we say, other than that three in a row is not as simple as it may seem. Motoryacht Lady Duvera III launched at the brink of the new millennium at Hakvoort Shipyard. This DIANA vessel is now ready to offer its owner; luxury, first class manoeuvrability and sea kindliness as well as transatlantic range.

Obviously, differences in the beautiful Duvera series are found in the yacht’s dimensions, appearance and interior, however not so in the way they let themselves to be controlled by their respective captains. Whereas the first Duvera is quite different from its successors, the second and the third can be thought of as sister ships.

The ships aft section, the new mast with its neatly designed antenna arrangement and the fashion plates along the main deck are the vessels eye catchers that distinguishes this vessel from the prior one at first sight.

The freely accessible swimming platform on Duvera III’s predecessor has now been replaced by an hydraulically retractable stern door for child safety considerations.

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Who Owns Which Superyacht? (A Complete Guide)

Have you ever wondered who owns the most luxurious, extravagant, and expensive superyachts? Or how much these lavish vessels are worth? In this complete guide, we’ll explore who owns these magnificent vessels, what amenities they hold, and the cost of these incredible yachts.

We’ll also take a look at some of the most expensive superyachts in the world and the notable people behind them.

Get ready to explore the world of superyachts and the people who own them!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

The ownership of superyachts is generally private, so the exact answer to who owns which superyacht is not always publicly available.

However, there are some notable superyacht owners that are known.

For example, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, owns the Rising Sun, which is the 11th largest superyacht in the world.

Other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Overview of Superyachts

The term superyacht refers to a large, expensive recreational boat that is typically owned by the worlds wealthy elite.

These vessels are designed for luxury cruising and typically range in size from 24 meters to over 150 meters, with some even larger.

Superyachts usually feature extensive amenities and creature comforts, such as swimming pools, outdoor bars, movie theaters, helipads, and spas.

Superyachts can range in price from $30 million to an astonishingly high $400 million.

Like most luxury items, the ownership of a superyacht is a status symbol for those who can afford it.

The list of superyacht owners reads like a whos who of billionaires, with names like Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

While some superyacht owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extravagant amenities.

Some of the most famous superyachts feature swimming pools, private beaches, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and luxurious spas.

In conclusion, owning a superyacht is an exclusive status symbol for the world’s wealthy elite.

These vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million, and feature some of the most luxurious amenities imaginable.

Notable owners include the Emir of Qatar, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Who are the Owners of Superyachts?

From Hollywood celebrities to tech billionaires, superyacht owners come from all walks of life.

Many of the most well-known owners are billionaires, including Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Other notable owners include Hollywood stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp.

However, not all superyacht owners are wealthy.

Many are everyday people who have worked hard and saved up to purchase their dream vessel.

Other notable billionaire owners include Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and former US President Donald Trump.

These luxurious vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million.

For many superyacht owners, their vessels serve as a status symbol of wealth and luxury.

Some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, while others have made headlines with their extensive amenities – from swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas.

Many of these yachts are designed to the owner’s exact specifications, ensuring that each one is totally unique and reflects the owner’s individual tastes and personality.

Owning a superyacht is an exclusive club, reserved for those with the means and the desire to experience the ultimate in luxury.

Whether they are billionaires or everyday people, superyacht owners are all united in their love of the sea and their appreciation for the finer things in life.

The Most Expensive Superyacht in the World

When it comes to superyachts, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, certainly knows how to make a statement.

His luxury vessel, the 463-foot Al Mirqab, holds the title of the world’s most expensive superyacht.

Built in 2008 by German shipbuilder Peters Werft, this impressive yacht is complete with 10 luxurious cabins, a conference room, cinema, and all the amenities one would expect from a vessel of this magnitude.

In addition, the Al Mirqab features a helipad, swimming pool, and even an outdoor Jacuzzi.

With a price tag of over $400 million, the Al Mirqab is one of the most expensive yachts in the world.

In addition to the Emir of Qatar, there are several other notable owners of superyachts.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos all own luxurious vessels.

Bezos yacht, the aptly named The Flying Fox, is one of the longest superyachts in the world at a staggering 414 feet in length.

The Flying Fox also comes with a host of amenities, such as a helipad, swimming pool, spa, and multiple outdoor entertaining areas.

Bezos also reportedly spent over $400 million on the vessel.

Other notable owners of superyachts include Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who owns the $200 million Kingdom 5KR, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who owns the $200 million Rising Sun.

There are also many lesser-known owners, such as hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin, who owns the $150 million Aviva, and investor Sir Philip Green, who owns the $100 million Lionheart.

No matter who owns them, superyachts are sure to turn heads.

With their impressive size, luxurious amenities, and hefty price tags, these vessels have become a symbol of wealth and prestige.

Whether its the Emir of Qatar or a lesser-known owner, the worlds superyacht owners are sure to make a statement.

Notable Superyacht Owners

When it comes to the wealthiest and most luxurious owners of superyachts, the list reads like a whos who of the worlds billionaires.

At the top of the list is the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who holds the distinction of owning the most expensive superyacht in the world.

Aside from the Emir, other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

All of these owners have made headlines with their extravagant vessels, which are typically priced between $30 million and $400 million.

The amenities that come with these vessels vary greatly from owner to owner, but they almost always include luxurious swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and spas.

Some owners opt for more extravagant features, such as submarines, personal submarines, and even their own personal submarines! Other owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, but for those who prefer a more showy approach, they can certainly make a statement with a superyacht.

No matter who owns the vessel, it’s no surprise that these superyachts are a status symbol among the world’s wealthiest.

Whether you’re trying to impress your peers or just looking to enjoy a luxurious outing, owning a superyacht is the ultimate way to show off your wealth.

What Amenities are Included on Superyachts?

Owning a superyacht is a sign of wealth and prestige, and many of the worlds most prominent billionaires have their own vessels.

The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, while other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The cost of a superyacht can range from $30 million to over $400 million, but the price tag doesnt quite capture the sheer extravagance and amenities of these vessels.

Superyachts come with all the comforts of home, and then some.

Many owners will equip their vessels with swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, spas, and other luxury amenities.

The interior of a superyacht can be custom-designed to the owners specifications.

Some owners opt for modern, sleek designs, while others prefer a more traditional look.

Many of the most luxurious yachts feature marble floors, walk-in closets, and custom-made furniture.

Some vessels even come with a full-service gym, complete with exercise equipment and trained professionals.

Other amenities may include a library, casino, media room, and private bar.

When it comes to outdoor amenities, superyachts have some of the most impressive features in the world.

Many yachts come with outdoor entertainment areas, complete with full kitchens, dining rooms, and lounge areas.

Some owners even opt for hot tubs or jacuzzis for relaxing afternoons in the sun.

And, of course, there are the jet skis, water slides, and other exciting water activities that come with many of these vessels.

No matter what amenities a superyacht has, it is sure to be an experience like no other.

From the sleek interiors to the luxurious outdoor features, these vessels provide a unique, luxurious experience that is unrivaled on land.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape or an exciting adventure, a superyacht is sure to provide.

How Much Do Superyachts Cost?

When it comes to superyachts, the sky is the limit when it comes to cost.

These luxury vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from anywhere between $30 million to over $400 million.

So, if youre in the market for a superyacht, youre looking at an investment that could easily break the bank.

The cost of a superyacht is driven by a variety of factors, including size, amenities, and customization.

Generally, the larger the yacht, the more expensive it will be.

Superyachts typically range in size from 100 feet to over 200 feet, and they can be as wide as 40 feet.

The bigger the yacht, the more luxurious features and amenities it will have.

Amenities also play a significant role in the cost of a superyacht.

While some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extensive amenities.

From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, the sky is the limit when it comes to customizing a superyacht.

The more amenities a superyacht has, the more expensive it will be.

Finally, customization is another major factor that will drive up the cost of a superyacht.

Many luxury vessels have custom-designed interiors that are tailored to the owners tastes.

From custom furniture and artwork to lighting and audio systems, the cost of a superyacht can quickly escalate depending on the level of customization.

In short, the cost of a superyacht can vary widely depending on its size, amenities, and customization.

While some may be able to get away with spending a few million dollars, others may end up spending hundreds of millions of dollars on their dream yacht.

No matter what your budget is, its important to do your research and find out exactly what youre getting for your money before signing on the dotted line.

Keeping Superyachts Out of the Public Eye

When it comes to owning a superyacht, some owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye.

Understandably, these individuals are concerned with privacy and discretion, and therefore tend to take measures to ensure their yachts are not visible to outsiders.

For instance, some superyacht owners opt to keep their vessels in private marinas, away from the public areas of larger ports.

Additionally, some yacht owners may choose to hire security guards to patrol and protect their vessels while they are moored or sailing.

In addition to physical security, some superyacht owners also use technology to keep their vessels out of the public eye.

For example, a yacht owner may choose to install a satellite-based communications system that allows them to keep their vessel completely off-radar.

This system works by bouncing signals off satellites rather than transmitting them, making it virtually impossible for anyone to track the yachts movements.

Finally, some superyacht owners also choose to limit the number of people who have access to their vessels.

For instance, the owner may only allow family members and close friends to board the yacht.

Additionally, the owner may choose to employ a limited number of staff to help maintain the vessel and keep it running smoothly.

These individuals may be required to sign non-disclosure agreements to ensure they do not disclose any information about the yacht or its owner.

Overall, while some superyacht owners may choose to keep their vessels out of the public eye, there are still plenty of other ways to show off the opulence associated with owning a superyacht.

From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, there are many luxurious amenities that can make a superyacht the envy of any jet setter.

Final Thoughts

Superyachts are a symbol of luxury and status, and the list of yacht owners reads like a who’s who of billionaires.

From the Emir of Qatar’s world-record breaking $400 million yacht to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s vessel with a helicopter pad and on-board spa, the amenities of these luxury vessels are truly stunning.

With prices ranging from $30 million to over $400 million, owning a superyacht is an expensive endeavor.

Whether you’re looking to purchase one or just curious to learn more about the owners and their amenities, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to stay up to date with the superyacht scene.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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LADY DUVERA III yacht NOT for charter*

43.6m  /  143'1 | hakvoort | 2000.

• Amenities & Toys

Special Features:

• Impressive 4,606nm range
• Lloyds Register classification
• Sleeps 12 overnight

The 43.6m/143'1" motor yacht 'Lady Duvera III' (ex. Lady Duvera) was built by Hakvoort in the Netherlands at their Monnickendam shipyard. Her interior is styled by design house Felix Buytendijk Yacht Design and she was completed in 2000. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Diana Yacht Design.

Guest Accommodation

Lady Duvera III has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests in 5 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 10 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Range & Performance

Lady Duvera III is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin diesel Caterpillar (3508 DITA) 917hp engines, she comfortably cruises at 12 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 15 knots with a range of up to 4,606 nautical miles from her 52,500 litre fuel tanks at 12 knots. Her water tanks store around 3,100 Litres of fresh water. She was built to Lloyds Register classification society rules, and is MCA Compliant.

*Charter Lady Duvera III Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Lady Duvera III is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Lady Duvera III Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Lady Duvera III Photos

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What does the American flag mean to you? Sacrifice, skepticism, respect, pride, hope

America's founding fathers left their descendants with little guidance on what the nation's flag means.

Their resolution from June 14, 1777 , was surprisingly sparse for what would become one of the country's most enduring symbols. At just 32 words, it did not explain why red, white and blue were chosen or what the stripes meant.

In the centuries since, the American flag has been draped across the casket of presidents and veterans, spread across the field of Super Bowls, waved by children in Fourth of July parades, burned in a protest outside a political convention and hung upside down at the home of a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

In the vacuum of prescribed meaning, Americans have imbued the flag with their own: sacrifice, freedom, patriotism, nationalism, pride, disappointment and hope. The flag reflects how Americans feel about their country, its past and its future.

Amid a polarizing election year and before the Fourth of July, several Americans shared what the American flag means to them.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

A family tradition for The Flag Lady

Lori Watson's mother used to sell the American flag door-to-door during her lunch break as a legal secretary. Now, Lori and her son Harrison run The Flag Lady, one of the largest flag companies in the country selling more than 15,000 American flags each year.

"My great-grandmother carried a little four-by-six-inch flag on a stick in the hopes that she could wave it someday," said Lori Watson from her shop in Columbus, Ohio. "That pride and passion is unbelievable for such a simple, simple symbol."

With a vision of God and country, Watson's mother, Mary Haley Leavitt, started selling American flags when they were hard to purchase outside of hardware stores between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Leavitt passed the business down to her daughter and grandson, who recalls sweeping the back porch and climbing under the store's tables with his cousin.

"The American flag is a sideless symbol. In a world that seems dead-set on tearing itself apart, it is meant to be a symbol of unity," Harrison Watson said. "At times, we have stood up together to show the best version of those ideals. At times, we've fallen short. We're human. But at the end of the day, that symbol represents the highest of those ideals."

While every sale can be meaningful, Lori Watson recalls a World War II veteran visiting the store shortly after Sept. 11. The veteran hammered his walking stick on the floor to get customers' attention and said: "I could die today knowing my country is not complacent about what I gave up."

"The flag means hope, that as a people, we will ultimately come together and do the right thing," Lori Watson said. "It is a timeless symbol and that's why it has endured for all these years."

Feelings about the flag shift after Jan. 6 attack

Katrina Beals, a 30-year-old speech pathologist living in Grand Rapids, Mich., described herself as a staunch Democrat but wants to avoid polarization. Her goal is to “just become more open to conversations. Hearing other people's perspectives and seeing people as people first, and not their political affiliation."

A Mexican American, Beals said she long considered herself patriotic − but events like the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and the temperament of national politics since former President Donald Trump’s election have dampened her outlook.

At times, the American flag can evoke emotions of shame and embarrassment for Beals. 

“It makes me a little bit sad. I love having pride for this country, but there's definitely that moment of hesitancy now when I see an American flag,” she said. 

Still, Beals believes the flag can represent values it’s long been associated with − saying this year’s presidential election will be a "fight for the flag.” 

“I think it’s really going to depend on what the outcome is, and seeing what Americans are feeling. Right now, it doesn’t really feel like the flag represents freedom.” 

An image shows solidarity, strength after Sept. 11

At 5:01 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, photographer Thomas E. Franklin watched as three New York City firefighters removed an American flag from a yacht's mast near the World Financial Center. They carried the flag to what would later be known as Ground Zero and hoisted it onto a pole amidst the rubble of the fallen World Trade Center towers.

"It was not a performance," said Franklin, who worked for The Bergen Record at the time. "They didn't know they were being photographed. It was a very chaotic scene. They saw it was just an opportunity to do what they did."

Franklin's photograph of that moment quickly became an iconic image of American resilience during a horrific tragedy. The photograph, distributed by the Associated Press, was published in newspapers across the country. It was featured on a postage stamp that raised more than $10 million for victims of Sept. 11.

"It was one of the only photos of 9/11 that did not directly depict death and destruction. It was a picture of three firemen who were essentially the soldiers in this war that we found ourselves in," said Franklin, now an associate professor of multimedia journalism at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

"The fact that these three firemen hoisted this flag, I think was viewed as a very strong act of patriotism and solidarity and strength that the country desperately needed in the hours after 9/11."

'Deeper historical, cultural, and political messages' behind the flag

Growing up in Georgia, the American flag reminded Kia Smith of the Fourth of July, family, and cookouts. Now 42, her experiences abroad and observing political movements have made her skeptical of wearing or displaying the flag.

Smith said she first questioned the flag when studying abroad in Tunisia in 2006. Following the United States’ declaration of its war on terror, she said people there felt the flag represented anti-Muslim sentiment – something she had to explain she did not hold just because of her nationality.

"As a Black woman in America, it was really interesting to be placed in a situation where I was seen as an American and confronted with a lot of the imperialism and colonialism that comes with being American,” Smith said. “Seeing what people outside of the United States, how they view the flag and American policy and values, was the first time when I had a moment of like, ‘what is this really?'”

Smith said she again felt like the flag did not represent her when it was flown by groups like the Tea Party, Make America Great Again Republicans, and Black Lives Matter counter-protesters.

“The only time I honestly feel tension is around the Olympics because there are so many incredible athletes and I want to have pride,” Smith said. “If I put on the U.S. flag, it’s not just about the games. There are deeper historical, cultural, and political messages behind that flag that don’t align with my lived values.” 

A symbol of respect

Scott Miller, of Washington, remembers pledging his allegiance to the American flag in school. When he grew up, he became a minister and made friends in law enforcement.

After serving as a volunteer police chaplain, he was inspired to form the Thin Blue Line Foundation which offers resources for police officers and their families, including counseling and spiritual support. The nonprofit distributes a version of the thin blue line flag Miller created with a graphic designer.

“The main thing we wanted to have there was the blue line representing what separates good and evil, chaos and order,” Miller said. “And then anybody that was law enforcement would recognize what it stood for.”

Miller said the American flag reminds him of freedom and the military lives lost fighting for it. He added that it is a symbol of respect at a time when he senses a growing disrespect for authority, including police officers and politicians.

“It's really hard for me when people burn the flag or call the flag racist,” Miller said. “We’re living in a time where people are trying to tear down everything that our country was founded on, and I think the flag is just one additional thing that they’re trying to do that with.”

'You can be patriotic and liberal '

The evolution of Jessica DeWolfe’s relationship with the American flag is one of acceptance and realistic optimism.

The 37-year-old’s earliest memories of the emblem bring her back to elementary school, singing patriotic hymns and standing for the pledge of allegiance.

Those positive emotions of unity evolved as she reached adulthood during the rise of the conservative Tea Party movement.

“There’s a growing period when you realize the U.S. history that you were taught is not the truth or the whole story,” DeWolfe told USA TODAY in an interview. “That brings up a lot of complicated feelings because that flag did not represent everyone, and it could be argued that it still doesn’t represent everyone so far.”

The Minneapolis resident and public health worker has reflected on how far-right groups have used the national emblem to exclude marginalized communities.

Now, DeWolfe isn’t convinced that either side of the aisle owns the flag.

“You can be patriotic and liberal,” she said. “Those aren’t mutually exclusive.”

Community and reflection in Flag City, USA

When John B. Cooke moved to Findlay, Ohio in 1968, he had a vision of a city bedecked in American flags for Flag Day. A member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Cooke purchased 14,000 small flags with donations from local organizations and residents. Local scouts passed them out to neighbors and friends to display on June 14.

"One person had a vision and an idea and everybody rallied around it," said Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn, who coincidentally got married on Flag Day 10 years ago. "That really is the essence of our community. When somebody has a good idea, we're doers."

Six years after Cooke's grand idea, a resolution from the U.S. House of Representatives officially designated the city in Northwest Ohio as Flag City, USA. Findlay held that title exclusively until 1999 when Redmond, Oregon claimed the name , too.

Sarah Foltz's first memories of the American flag were of the small ones she'd wave at Findlay's many parades. She now serves as executive director of the Hancock Historical Museum, which recently celebrated the city's 50th anniversary as Flag City with children painting flags, playing ring toss and eating snow cones.

"You don't really question why you're flying flags as a child," Foltz said. But now, she said the flag signifies reflection. "It means that our country has come so far − and not without struggle and not without challenges to this day."

When the museum's education coordinator Deb Wickerham thinks about the American flag, she remembers the sacrifice her 19-year-old cousin made in the Vietnam War. She thinks of the veterans she helped visit the Washington D.C. memorials as co-founder of Flag City Honor Fight. "We are allowed to wave that flag because of what those men and women did."

'Totally out of control' flag collection

Peter Keim's affection for the American flag began as a young boy in Erie, Pennsylvania watching his grandfather raise the stars and stripes during World War II.

"He taught me how to raise the flag, how to retire the flag, how to bring it in at sunset, make sure it didn't touch the ground at all, make sure if the weather didn't look too good to bring the flag in," Keim said. "That was sort of the beginning."

Years later, Keim bought an old flag stashed in a paper bag at an antique sale for $40. To Keim's surprise, his purchase was a hand-sewn 13-star flag . About a year later, he bought a second old flag.

"Then, it just got totally out of control," he said. "I collected well over 700 historic flags and was recognized as probably the most complete collection in the United States."

Keim's collection has been featured in museums and in Bergdorf Goodman's windows on the first anniversary of Sept. 11. He wrote a book titled "A Grand Old Flag" and often asks people to describe the American flag in one word.

"America," Keim said when asked to answer his own prompt. "It's America and all that America stands for. Strength, freedom, liberty, perseverance, equality, all of these things have been within our flag over time."

Jessie Balmert is a political reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. She can be reached at [email protected].