U.S. #5686
2022 10¢ Flags on Barns
Issue Date: April 14, 2022
First Day City: Halifax, PA
Type of Stamp: Definitive
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Coil of 3,000 OR Coil of 10,000
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 30,000,000 OR 1,000,000,000
Many have seen flags painted on barns in the past, but how many have seen an entire barn painted in red, white, and blue? Those traveling near the corner of Freeway 41, the road to Yosemite National Park, and Avenue 12 in the San Joaquin Valley, California, have seen such a barn. The McCaffrey Flag Barn was painted a few days after the attacks on 9/11. This barn gave everyone not only a symbol of hope in the trying weeks and months that followed, but a source of pride for the local residents.
The McCaffreys, Robert and Karen, didn't know then that the barn would take on a life of its own. Since the painting, people have traveled from all over the world to visit the barn and take photos. Even tourists from italy came by the busload to see the barn. It's been in the news, in magazines, and mentioned by Oprah Winfrey. When the flag barn was tagged with graffiti, it was promptly repainted in less than 12 hours. After all, it's not just tourists who pose in front of the Stars and Stripes, but high school classes, engaged couples, and volunteer fire departments.
Although the McCaffreys sold the property, the new owners assured everyone the flag barn will never be torn down – it's just too important.