MURRELLS INLET, SC (WMBF) – A Murrells Inlet family and a handful of their neighbors placed roughly 1,250 American flags around their neighborhood Tuesday morning.

Mike and Carol Collins said the project began three years ago when they moved to Murrells Inlet, and it “took on a life of its own.”

They said they wanted to find a way to honor those who protect and defend our freedoms.

“We’re honoring, remembering, and thanking the military, veterans, and first responders that sacrificed so much for us to be able to do this. The way we see it, the military piece defends our freedoms and first responders protect those freedoms,” the couple said.

They said it couldn’t happen without having the help of their neighbors. This year, they said around 20 helped.

“It’s all voluntary and whether people are around and able to do it. Some people can make it this time, but not that time. Next time, some people are able to help put them in but not pick them up. We tend to get more people picking them up, because putting them out, you have to be here at 6 a.m.,” they said.

And they have a process, starting with hammering a spike into the ground.

“Then Maryann will come and she’ll pull it out, and when she does that, then she’ll put the flag in the hole we created, and that way it keeps it stable,” Carol said.

Maryann is a volunteer, she said she hopes more people will come help out in the future.

“As people move in, we hope the feeling continues and we can capture everyone that’s moving in. And that they have the same feeling about it, you know, we’re proud to be American,” she said.

Mike said it’s become something he didn’t expect.

“Myself and the next-door neighbor, we’ve become flag doctors,” he said.

They are fixing each flag after each one is taken out of the ground after each holiday.

But, they say, It’s all worth it.

“It’s an honor to do it. It’s our pleasure to do it. And even more so it’s become a community effort. And it’s so worth every minute that goes into it,” they said.

If you didn’t get a chance to help out today, don’t worry, the Collins’ put out hundreds of flags for Memorial Day, Flag Day, 9/11, and Veterans Day.

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