A brief history

Shortly after moving to Spokane, Tom Westbrook, brought his young family to a public 4th of July picnic at Manito Park.  We had barely arrived when Tom fell into conversation with members of the John Birch Society who upon learning he was from Minnesota decided he was a Socialist.  When they discovered Tom had campaigned for Hubert Humphry, well he must be a Commie!  Tom quickly realized this gathering was missing the point of the day so we left.  

When Tom got home he called some friends, including the Powells, Dellwos, Iversons, and Safraneks.  He encouraged them to pack a picnic and join us at Finch Arboretum it was 1962. They planted the Flag on a small hill and conversed about a country they loved, even though it still tolerated way too much injustice.   They read poetry, sang songs and actually read aloud the entire Declaration of Independence. They were patriots in the spirit of Carl Schurz who, in 1871, declared in argument on the U.S. Senate floor: “My Country right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”  

For 59 years these families, and many more, continued to gather around the American Flag at Finch Arboretum.  They continued to celebrate our country and promote the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence.  

We believe something powerful happens when two or more gather in a cause greater than self.  The great American experiment did not begin with some self aggrandizing Caesar or Napoleon. It began with people growing upset with the injustices of a powerful status quo; dreaming of something new and working together for the common good.  It included what at the time were considered fanciful idealism of human equality, human rights, and self government.  Our founders must have been more than a little apprehensive when it came to the bottom line: “we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”   

We are better together.  Gathering.  Conversing.  Influencing one another and becoming community. 

Thank you to everyone who submitted and participated in this process of keeping tradition alive. We've compiled the responses here for your enjoyment and we hope to see you next year in person!

Stay healthy and we hope you enjoy!

Sincerely,

-The Westbrooks