The Eagle
Mountain Flag & Flagpole Company (left to right): Trina McRoberts,
Lisa Johnson, Sandra Ross, Mike Young, and Vickie Young. Photo
by Deyanira Rossell.
Local flag dealer sells
from sea to shining sea
By
Deyanira Rossell
As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, many Americans across
the country fly and wave flags in a rising tide of patriotism. And
no holiday brings out these true colors like the fourth of July.
Mike and Vickie Young know this better than most folks. They fly more
flags than your average American in front of their business, Eagle
Mountain Flag and Flagpole Company.
After the Twin Towers were bombed September 11, 2001, in New York
City, Mike and Vickie’s business doubled and has continued to
climb.
“The Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan bring out patriotism in Americans,
who want to do whatever they can to show the soldiers they support
them,” says Mike.
While Mike profits from the patriotism, he feels a greater reward.
“I am honored to be in this business because of the people I
meet and the reasons behind why they are buying flags,” he says.
“I hear all kinds of stories from family members who have sons
or daughters fighting for our country. We are more than just a flag
shop, we are friends to these great patriotic Americans.”
Indeed, Eagle Mountain is more than a flag shop. In addition to Mike
and Vickie, three women keep Old Glory waving at homes, cities, businesses,
and military installations. Sandra Ross, Lisa Johnson and Trina McRoberts
are also part of the Eagle Mountain family.
Together they serve clients like Raytheon, General Electric, ABC Television,
the Dixie Chicks, the Bahamas International Airport, Sea World in
San Antonio and even the United States White House.
Mike and Vickie also are proud to serve the government as official
suppliers under the U.S. General Services Administration. Among the
prestigious orders they have filled are lighting for the U.S. Navy
Pearl Harbor Memorial and the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait.
But red, white, and blue are not the only colors at Eagle Mountain
Flag and Flagpole. There are maroon Texas A&M flags and burnt
orange University of Texas flags, as well.
Eagle Mountain caters to customers ranging from Harley riders to corporate
executives, with flags that attach on to motorcycles and desktop flags
with card holders.
For young patriots, Eagle Mountain carries four by six inch 29 cent
flags. For large metropolitan cities, there are flags as large as
50 by 70 feet.
If Eagle Mountain Flag sounds like a cut above the rest, it is because
they truly are sharper than most. More than 100 varieties of knives
are also available in their flag shop. Former meat market owners,
Mike and Vickie are experts on the best cutlery to use in any kitchen
or restaurant.
It was actually the meat business that got them started in the knife
business, and the knife business that got them started in the flag
business.
As Mike recalls, “We owned a meat market in Houston, but built
and lived in a new home here in Wimberley. We traveled back and forth
so frequently that we decided to start selling knives along the way
to cover the cost of our travels.”
On these trips they noticed many tattered flags across Texas. Since
one of their meat market customers was a flag salesman, they began
selling his flags on the road, too. Mike looks back at how it all
started and says, “We are so blessed and humbled.”
From the star-spangled twinkle in Mike’s eyes to the shining
sea of flags in his shop, customers who visit Eagle Mountain are reminded
why they are so proud to live in the land of the free and the home
of the brave.
FYI • Eagle Mountain
Flags is located at 333 FM 2325 in Wimberley. Hours are Monday through
Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 512-847-0010
or 800-385-5605, email mike@eaglemountainflag.com or visit the web
site at www.eaglemountainflag.com.
