Sojourn 250 flag flies over Fort Worth in tour across United States
The American flag on its way to Washington, D.C., for the nation’s 250th anniversary flew at the Tarrant County Courthouse in downtown Fort Worth on Thursday morning during its only stop in Texas.
Sheriff Bill Waybourn said the Sheriff’s Office jumped at the chance when the Sojourn 250 organizers approached it about hosting the flag-raising ceremony.
It’s such an honor to have that flag in Fort Worth, Texas, and in Tarrant County,” he said.
Thomas Kerss, executive director of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas, said the Sojourn 250 flag’s journey will take it around the world. The tour began in Washington, D.C., on June 14 — Flag Day. By the time it reached Tarrant County on Thursday, it had already traveled to multiple U.S. territories and all 26 military cemeteries overseas.
The flag was recently flown over locations in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Oklahoma; Louisiana, and Alabama. It will eventually make its way to each of the 50 states before arriving at the nation’s capital on July 4.
“This flag’s journey is a tribute to our rich heritage, history and our bright future,” Kerss said.
The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard hoisted the flag on the steps of the courthouse. U.S. Air Force veteran Capt. Ridley Briggs led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Briggs talked about the principles that the United States was founded on and all that the flag stands for.
“She represents freedom to people all around the world,” Briggs said. “She represents the love and appreciation that I have for those great patriots who died to keep her flying.”
Marine Corps veteran Cpl. Don Graves, a Battle of Iwo Jima survivor and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, sang “God Bless America” before the flag was taken down.
“I love my country,” Graves said. “I love that beautiful flag.”
After Fort Worth, the Sojourn 250 flag is scheduled to stop in New Mexico. UPS is responsible for transporting the flag from place to place.
This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 10:41 PM.
