GREENVILLE — For more than a century, Troy Sunshade has built its reputation on American manufacturing and community involvement. This week, the Greenville company combined those traditions by donating five of its 100 percent American-made America 250 flags to the Fort GreeneVille Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
The flags will be used as part of local celebrations commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary, a milestone communities across the country are observing throughout 2026.
“We are fortunate to have community-minded businesses like Troy Sunshade that proudly support both our country and our hometown,” said Helen Wright, historian for the Fort GreeneVille Chapter. “Their generous donation of commemorative 250 flags, combined with the U.S. flags provided by our local veterans posts, makes our community’s 250th anniversary celebration especially meaningful.”
For Troy Sunshade co-owner John Baumgardner, supporting the DAR continues the company’s long-standing commitment to organizations that strengthen the community.
“The Fort GreeneVille Daughters of the American Revolution is a great organization,” Baumgardner said. “They do so much to honor our fallen military members and veterans, and they make a real difference in our community. Any way we can give back is just a small way of thanking them for everything they do. We were happy that Troy Sunshade could help out.”
Baumgardner said the donation also reflects the importance of supporting locally owned businesses that continually invest in their communities.
“It’s also important to shop local because local businesses are the ones supporting our communities,” he said. “If you look around any high school in Darke County — whether it’s the gymnasium, football stadium or track and field complex — I’d say 90 percent of the sponsorship banners are from locally owned companies. Those are the businesses investing back into our community.”
He encouraged residents to recognize the businesses that sponsor schools, youth programs and community organizations.
“When you support businesses that give back, it helps ensure they can continue supporting our schools, organizations and community events,” Baumgardner said.
The donation also reflects Troy Sunshade’s continued emphasis on American-made manufacturing. The Greenville company recently expanded its product line to include 100 percent American-made U.S. flags, with every component — from the fabric to the stitching — sourced and manufactured in the United States.
The commemorative America 250 flags donated to the DAR celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial while reinforcing the company’s commitment to domestic manufacturing.
The Fort GreeneVille Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is named for historic Fort GreeneVille, the massive wooden fort built by General Anthony Wayne in 1793 and the site of the 1795 Treaty of Greenville.
The chapter has earned state and national recognition for its historic preservation, educational outreach and patriotic programs. Earlier this year, it received recognition during the DAR Continental Congress in Washington, D.C., and was commended by the Ohio House of Representatives for its commemorative events, preservation efforts and programs honoring Vietnam veterans and their families.
Today, the organization continues its mission of preserving American history, educating future generations and recognizing the service and sacrifice of veterans while partnering with local businesses and organizations to promote patriotism throughout Darke County.
For Troy Sunshade, the flag donation represents another opportunity to support both American manufacturing and the community it has called home for generations.
