Publications & Sites 
Flag collector shows his patriotic fervor
Tim NIcol, 50 of River Grove shows of his 48-star American flag, prior to Alaska and Hawaii became part of the United States. He plans to hang the flag from the awning above his front door on July 4. An avid collector of all kinds of flags, Nicol doesn't mind showing his patriotism by flying the American Flag in his front yard on a flagpole he installed himself./Photo by David Pollard
Breakout
Breakout text.
Article Extras
Updated: July 29, 2012 6:36AM
There’s always at least one flag waving outside a home on the 2500 block of Davisson Street in River Grove.
That’s because Tim Nicol, 50, of River Grove installed a flagpole in his front lawn. He’s done it wherever he’s lived with his current address being his permanent home base of 14 years.
Currently, the American flag flies at the top of the pole followed by a flag with the head of an American eagle on it with an overlay of the American flag on the eagle’s head.
“I saw it and I loved it,” he said.
They aren’t the only flags he has.
“I collect a lot of them,” he said. “I fly a different flag all of the time.”
The American flag always get special treatment, but he has flags that represent countries all over the world, colleges and cities.
His collection recently added a 9-11 flag, which commemorates Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack in New York. He plans on flying that flag in September in remembrance of the event.
“It’s for the people who fought the terrorists on the plane [as well as for] the police and firefighters,” said Nicol, who works as a security supervisor at Transit Security Administration and is a part-time auxiliary police officer for River Grove Police Department.
Independence Day carries the most significance for flying a flag outside his home. It’s obvious that he is patriotic and he’s not ashamed to show it.
“Absolutely,” he said. “That’s why I fly one (American flag).”
“It really bothers me when the National Anthem is being sung at an event and people don’t remove their hats or don’t stand up,” he said. “You live in the greatest country in the world. You should respect it.”
Nicol said he was raised that way because his father served in the military.
He always makes it a point to thank people in the military, especially those who are active duty, for their service.
“They are making the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
His patriotism has rubbed off on the rest of his block, with a number of homes displaying American flags for the upcoming July 4 holiday.
And on July 3 he plans to put up the flag that has special significance on his front awning. The historical flag has only 48 stars — before Alaska and Hawaii became recognized as states.
“This flag is my pride and joy,” he said.
The flagpole in his front yard is leaning a bit, and Nicol plans on replacing it soon with another. He believes it’s the proper place to show off his patriotism and love of flags.
“No matter where I live I will always have a flagpole,” he said.
