On July 1, 2005, ACUITY raised the largest United States Flag on the tallest flagpole in the state of Wisconsin. The flag, measuring 30 feet high by 60 feet long atop a 150 foot pole, was raised by ACUITY as a statement of gratitude for the service and sacrifice of those who have protected America’s freedom. “We proudly fly this flag because we are blessed to live and work in the United States of America,” said Ben Salzmann, ACUITY President and CEO.

A ceremony to dedicate the flag began when fifteen of ACUITY’s own military veterans carried the 90-pound flag to the pole, followed by representatives of the U.S. Marine Corp, Army Reserve, several veterans’ associations, and a long column of ACUITY staff. The Stars and Stripes received a 21-gun volley from the Army Reserve Rifle Team and, shortly after the flag was raised, the thunder of four F-16 fighter jets of the Wisconsin Air National Guard shook the air as they flew low over the assembly in salute.

“What an awesome demonstration of the patriotism and pride of the people of ACUITY!” said Wisconsin State Senator Joe Leibham to a crowd of over 1,000 staff, military veterans, dignitaries, and members of the public gathered to dedicate the new American Flag at ACUITY Corporate Headquarters. “Today, we raised the largest flag on the tallest flagpole in the state of Wisconsin. This is truly an amazing and inspiring symbol.”

ACUITY’s current headquarters expansion project necessitated relocating their previous flagpole, and the decision on the flag’s size was based on the relative scale of the final building project. “There was concern over the size of the flag dwarfing our new building,” Salzmann explained, “but that is precisely what we wanted to do, because we didn’t want our new building to dwarf the American Flag.”

Most important, as Senator Leibham observed, ACUITY’s flag is much more than its physical statistics. “Even more impressive is the meaning for which this flag was raised. Let this flag stir an overwhelming outpouring of patriotism as it recognizes the value of the people and the country for whom it flies.”

The flag will be replaced every month to ensure it does not become tattered, and sixteen 1000-watt spotlights will keep the flag illuminated. It will be one of the most visible sights along a corridor of Interstate 43 that is traveled by more than 50,000 people daily.

ACUITY, headquartered in Sheboygan, is a regional property and casualty insurer that operates in eleven Midwestern states, writes over $600 million in premium, and enjoys over $1 billion in assets. Named one of the Top 100 Companies to Work For by FORTUNE Magazine, ACUITY currently employs over 700 people.