This Independence Day, as thousands gather in downtown Williamsport, they will be greeted by a skyline dominated by an enormous American flag. The driving force behind the effort to display this symbol of our freedom during the annual July 4 festivities was the late Chuck Roan, who passed away this past February.

“Semper Fidelis,” meaning “always faithful,” is the motto of the United States Marine Corps, which Chuck Roan proudly served in for four years, truly embodying the phrase “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” This motto could easily apply to Chuck himself.

Among all his public-spirited activities, Chuck was particularly proud of his role in bringing the world’s largest United States flag to Williamsport for display during the July 4th celebrations. In an interview I had with him about 15 years ago, he shared that this was the achievement he cherished the most.

“I get a lump in my throat and shed tears when I see that large flag displayed under highway lighting, allowing everyone to see it wave proudly,” Chuck remarked.

Chuck’s many charitable and public service contributions are also noteworthy. Over the years, he organized and conducted charity auctions for various groups, including the Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Cancer Society, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, the American Red Cross, and the Boy Scouts of America. His philanthropic efforts extended to the Williamsport High School Key Club, the Junior League, Four Mile Drive Elementary School PTA, the Tressler Lutheran Group, the Salvation Army, the Women’s Medical Auxiliary, the Lycoming Historical Society, the National Rifle Association, Pennsylvania Bowhunter’s Association, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, just to name a few.

Additionally, he raised funds for numerous organizations such as the Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Little League Baseball, Hurricane Hugo Recovery Efforts, the Marine Corps League, the Trout Run Hill Climb Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Lycoming County Veterans Council, the Trout Run United Methodist Church, and AMVETS.

“I enjoy helping people, and that’s how I got involved in charity auctions,” Chuck told Webb Weekly in a previous interview. “I have always derived great satisfaction from helping these groups raise funds to support the good work they do.”

In his professional life, Chuck was one of the area’s most well-known and accomplished auctioneers.

In an episode of the television show “*M*A*S*H*,” the character Major Frank Burns stated, “When they run that flag up the flagpole, they run me up with it.” This sentiment beautifully captures Chuck Roan’s pride whenever the large flag, which he helped bring to the area, is displayed on Independence Day.