FREEPORT – Freeport filmmaker Walter Skold is asking viewers to define patriotism through his film, “One Tuesday Morning,” a documentary on the Flag Ladies of Freeport, three women who turn out each Tuesday morning to show their support for those who sacrifice for American freedom.

The film, which is scheduled to air twice next week on Maine Public Television, was an 18-month journey for the 52-year-old Skold, who has lived in Freeport for 10 years.

Skold began his career as a filmmaker three years ago.

“After watching countless documentaries, I realized, hey, I can do that and maybe do it better,” he said. “But I had five children along the way and never had time to pursue that dream.”

Skold, whose youngest child graduated from Freeport High School two years ago, immersed himself in the craft by reaching out to fellow Maine filmmakers and participating in two workshops at the Camden-based Maine Media Workshops, an international center for education and training in film.

“I’ve been really happy about the camaraderie and support of the Maine film community,” he said. “There has been great support along the way.”

“One Tuesday Morning” is his first film and was an easy inspiration for Skold, who lives next door to the Freeport Flag Ladies’ de facto headquarters on School Street.

“Like a lot of people, seeing them there every Tuesday was always remarkable,” said Skold. “But then I finally went and talked to them and became fascinated the more I learned about these individuals. The film really shows you the personal side and what they mean to people.”

Three days after the terrorists attacks in New York and at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, three Freeport women, Elaine Greene, JoAnne Miller and Carmen Footer, gathered on the corner of Main and School streets and waived an American flag in honor of America’s service personnel and to demonstrate the power of the American spirit. The women became known as the Freeport Flag Ladies and have gathered every Tuesday morning since that day nearly 12 years ago. The women have had flags sent to them by troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and were presented flags flown in their honor at ground zero in New York City, the Pentagon, and the third site of the Sept. 11 attack, in Pennsylvania.

Like the women themselves, Skold considers the film apolitical and more of an examination of “three incredible” ladies than a statement on war itself.

“It boils down to two things; a renewed love of America since 9/11 and an appreciation of our freedoms. Also an appreciation of the men and women who have laid down their lives since the attacks has turned the Flag Ladies into more grateful citizens,” said Skold. “The people in the film represent many political persuasions, but what draws them to the Flag Ladies is that their purpose is above politics. Some people see them waving flags and think, ‘Wow, these women love war.’ It has nothing to do with that. ”

For Greene, being filmed during the course of 18 months was occasionally intrusive but she was happy with the end results.

“We support the men and women of the armed forces and we support our fellow citizens without being political,” said Greene. “He stayed true to that spirit, which was important to us. Walter was great to work with, he’s a very gentle soul.”

Making the film itself, which he began May 3, 2011, coincidentally the day after Osama Bin Laden was killed by Navy SEALs in Pakistan, was a labor of love, he said, and fraught with challenges along the way. The film was self-funded for a “substantial amount of money,” but production stopped twice along the way in order to hone his message and eliminate elements of the film that deviated from that core message of patriotism without politics. He employed professional cinematographers and editors, but primarily worked with skeleton crew of two. Through the many hurdles, Skold found a way to finish the project.

“Walter is crazy,” said Tom Acousti, a Freeport-based musician who co-produced the film with Skold. “I’m glad for it. Otherwise, he would have never finished this project. It takes someone with a real passion to do this. As a first-time filmmaker, he was up against a lot, but his passion demanded the film be made and that the story needed to be told.”

Acousti had never met Skold before the filming of “One Tuesday Morning,” and initially had no interest in becoming involved.

“I actually didn’t return the first two phone calls from Walter,” said Acousti. “I finally agreed to meet him and we talked for hours. His passion was inspiring.”

Skold, also a musician, had very specific ideas from the beginning of what he wanted to use for music, said Acousti. The film features fresh takes on American-themed compositions and also contemporary pieces like “U.S. Blues,” a 1974 Grateful Dead song that has a sardonic and whimsical view of the United States and patriotism in general.

Skold has aggressively marketed the film through film festivals and is in talks with a cable television channel to screen “One Tuesday Morning” on Sept. 11, 2013. “One Tuesday Morning” was featured at the Lewiston Auburn film festival in April and will be shown at the Patterson Falls Film Festival in New Jersey this weekend. Closer to home, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network was a logical outlet for the 80-minute film with strong Maine themes

“Someone from the Maine Public Broadcasting Network saw a rough cut of the movie last fall and they wanted to have it play over Veterans Day, but our editing was not finished by then,” said Skold. “Because both Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day are in May, it’s a great month to see a film that is all about remembering and honoring people.”

He is hoping, like all directors in the competitive world of film, to have his vision shared with as many people as possible. Skold has contacted the Gary Sinise Foundation, an organization that honors veterans, in the hopes that private screenings in the Hollywood community and beyond could be arranged.

“I feel Walter’s film asks what patriotism means to an individual, because these ladies demand it by their sheer presence,” said Acousti. “They are there every Tuesday and not going away.”

Skold, also a poet, is now at work on his second film, which concerns the graves of dead poets – he is the founder of the Dead Poets Society of America (www.deadpoes.org) – and will be traveling for six weeks this summer in search of both the famous and infamous tombstones of the country’s celebrated poets. He hopes “One Tuesday Morning” will serve as a testament to the power of free citizens and the people who make those freedoms possible.

“The Freeport Flag Ladies are about the American spirit,” said Skold, “no matter how you define it.”

The Freeport Flag Ladies have been a fixture in town since 2001, and now are the subject of a documentary film. Pictured, from left, are Carmen Footer, Elaine Greene and JoAnn Miller. Below, Freeport filmmaker Walter Skold.  File photo

Walter Skold

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