By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The Decatur Flag Committee has revealed three designs for the public to vote on as part of an effort to select a flag to represent the city.
The committee said it reviewed more than 50 entries and reduced the field to three for public voting which is now open and will continue through May 16.
“After the public voting period has ended, the votes will be counted and the results will be reviewed by the flag committee,” its announcement said. “Your input during this period will help guide the committee and Decatur City Council’s final decision. We appreciate your input.”
Voting may be done online at www.cityofdecatur.in.gov. Or, voting may be done in person at Decatur City Hall or the Adams Public Library in Decatur.
Only one vote per person is allowed.
The idea of selecting a flag to represent Decatur was sparked last year by city councilwoman Jenny Bowers-Shultz.
Following are descriptions of the flags released by the committee, reading from top to bottom.
Flag Option 1 (top photo):
The blue, gold, and star are an homage to the state flag of Indiana. The green represents vibrancy and growth and is also symbolic of Decatur’s agricultural heritage.
The blue stripe in the middle represents the St. Mary’s River, which runs through Decatur as a major natural landmark. The circle represents constancy and continuance, a vision for the ongoing success of Decatur.
The three segment design represents the Three Sisters: corn, squash, and beans. These are the foods that sustained the indigenous peoples native to the area where Decatur now sits. The single star represents Decatur’s place as the county seat of Adams County.
Flag Option 2 (middle photo)
The single star represents Decatur’s role as the county seat and largest Adams county municipality. Surrounding the star are olive branches, drawn from the legacy of Stephen Decatur and the USS Decatur’s motto, “In Pursuit of Peace.” These branches, along with relationship to the county courthouse Peace Monument, speak to Decatur’s enduring commitment to harmony and honor.
Flanking the central emblem are three horizontal stripes which represent the three U.S. highways that connect Decatur to the state and nation – a visual reminder of the city’s strategic importance and regional connectivity.
Gold is drawn directly from the Indiana state flag, linking Decatur to its state heritage while evoking excellence, prosperity, and honor. Blue represents loyalty, stability, and tradition, while white symbolizes peace and a hopeful, bright future.
Flag Option 3 (lowest photo)
The star and the lime green symbolize the city of Decatur. The lime green is the same color used in the logo of Decatur and signage around the city.
The vertical white line represents the historic Route 27 highway, and the diagonal white line represents the St. Mary’s River. In short, the imagery resembles the city of Decatur being at the intersection of both the river and highway, as seen from a map.
The blue and yellow are influenced by the colors of the Indiana State flag, representing how Decatur is a part of Indiana. In addition, the blue represents the US Navy and Commodore Stephen Decatur Jr. who the city is named after.
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