ROCKPORT — When driving by Adventure Advertising in Rockport you often see one of its seasonal lighthearted displays, whether it is Charlie Brown and the peanuts gallery guarding the great pumpkin, the Pilgrims encouraging everyone to eat lobster, or the "uncle" banner saying that we all just had enough of the two feet of snow last winter.

But now Joe and Ginny Ryan, owners of Adventure Advertising, are showing their patriotism with a new display in front their business. They are proudly flying the American Flag.

The Ryans were honored April 6 by the Camden American Legion Post No. 30 as the inaugural recipient of a Certificate of Recognition for Proper American Flag Display.

The Legion has initiated a new community-based program that will recognize a difference business within the community for proper display of the American Flag.

"There are numerous government buildings that are flying the American flag and we hope we can encourage more local businesses to participate by recognizing them with this program," said Jeff Sukeforth, Post Adjutant and Legionnaire member.

The Ryans said it is a great honor to be recognized as the first recipients of this award. They both come from military families and Joe recently traveled with his grandfather, who served in Okinowa during World War II, on an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

"Flying the flag is a simple way to show respect and patriotism. We are proud to be Americans," Ginny said.

The American Legion is the world's largest Veteran's organization with a support group of more than 2.5 members. "Still Serving America" is the motto of the American Legion with veterans continuing their service to America by serving their communities. The American Legion is the nation's largest and most respected organizations of wartime veterans, according to a press release from Sukeforth.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com.