Bill Johnson
United States Senate 2010

December 13, 2009

Bill Johnson

America has lost a great patriot with the passing of Bob Heft.  Throughout his life, Bob inspired both kids and adults with his story of designing a 50 Star flag as a high school project two years before America had 50 States.  Receiving a B- for his efforts, his teacher challenged Bob to get the flag accepted by Washington if he wanted a better grade.  Bob believed in himself and chased the dream of a better grade to reality when President Eisenhower called Bob’s place of employment in early June and asked to speak with Bob.  When Bob answered the phone, President Dwight D. Eisenhower asked if he was speaking to Robert G. Heft.  “Yes, but you can call me Bob,” was his naive response.  President Eisenhower invited Bob to Washington to witness his flag design being raised as the new national banner on July 4th, 1960.  Since then, Bob has traveled around the country and around the world many times.  The Original 50 Star flag has flown in all 50 States and 131 embassies.

Bob was in Kentucky last week telling his story to veterans, scouts, school kids, and adults in Somerset, Hazard, Clay City, Mt. Sterling and Hebron.  Bob recorded an interview that will air on wymtnews.com Issues and Answers this Monday evening at 7:00pm EST.  I will never forget the Clay City school where the kids gathered around Bob to recite the pledge of allegiance.  Bob beamed with pride.  http://www.claycity-times.com/news/?p=650  When Bob left for Michigan last Sunday morning after we had breakfast in Florence, he commented about how much he had enjoyed visiting Kentucky and he was looking forward to a return trip.  Additional pictures of his visit to Kentucky http://www.aipnews.com/talk/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10971&po...

I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend.  I salute Bob for his contribution to our great nation and impact he made on lives around the world.  My prayers join the prayers of thousands of Bob’s friends for his family.  I am certain that when God asked if He was speaking to Robert G. Heft, Bob replied with a smile, “Yes, but you can call me Bob.”