In Memory of Mark J. Kenneweg
The Mark J. Kenneweg flag has become an integral part of our regional auctions. The flag not only represents one of the strongest and most viable Regions of NAI, but also serves as a memorial to a beloved and lost Heartland Region member, Mark J. Kenneweg. The flag originally flew over Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan, North Dakota. The flag is a replica of the original that flew over the fort in the 1870s and has 36 stars. Mark donated the flag to the Heartland Region at the North Dakota conference in 1999.
The flag was originally given to Sarah Blogett, former NAI President. Since Sarah was not from the region, she gave back the flag the following year and suggested that it be used as an auction item each year. But, before giving the flag back, she raised it at a number of locations along the East Coast, and a tradition was born. Each year at the auction someone wins the opportunity to take the flag for a year and fly it at various locations, photographing and documenting its travels, and returning it at the next regional conference, in time for the next auction.
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In December of 2005, Mark passed away. He served as the Region Awards Chair and was a constant conference participant over the years. Mark was an inspirational leader in the field of interpretation and an influential mentor to many interpreters. Due to his wonderful personality and ability to make connections with new and up-coming interpreters, he was honored by way of adding his name to the flag that he gave to the Region.