'Flag Man' finds his 'hometown'
Father of New Milford's official flag finds town very 'welcoming'

Peter Orenski, better known as "Flag Man," lives up to his name as he drapes a large New Milford flag around him.

By Deborah Rose
STAFF WRITER
Peter Orenski.
The name may not ring a bell right away, but he's well known by the residents of New Milford and neighboring towns.
"Flag Man."
Do you recognize that name? It's the same man.
Mr. Orenski, or "Flag Man" as he was nicknamed several years ago, is the man who's often seen walking around downtown New Milford wearing a leather jacket decorated with flags.
He's also the force behind the official New Milford flag, which was dedicated in 1995. Helping to launch the campaign for the New Milford flag was an event Mr. Orenski said he holds close to his heart.
After living in several different countries and "leading a nomadic existence," it was nice to settle into a town that was so welcoming, he said.
"I consider New Milford my hometown," the 11-year New Milford resident said, explaining that it took only "two or three months" until he realized he wanted to "give [his] hometown a symbol"  the New Milford flag.
The process leading up to the creation of the official New Milford flag is described in A Flag for New Milford.
Pat Hembrook, who met Mr. Orenski during that process, said he is a man who "is committed to flags and who went out of his way to make sure the town had a flag.
"He's a colorful person who's really sweet and has a lot of energy," Mrs. Hembrook, who was a judge in the local flag contest, said of her friend.
Mr. Orenski said flags have always been significant to him.
"I'm into flags," he said in a recent interview at his home. "There's an emotional connection with them."
The connection began back in Romania, the country in which he was born in 1940, Mr. Orenski said, when looking at the American flag was forbidden because "America was a non-communist country and was badmouthed all the time.
"Kids used to play chicken with the flag," he said, recalling memories from his childhood.
Mr. Orenski said he and his friends would drop coins on the ground in front of the American Embassy and bend over to pick them up while glancing up at the flag. They would wait to see if the police would come and get them, he said, noting that they "never did get in trouble."
But in 1960, when his family arrived by ship to live in America, there was finally freedom in seeing the American flag and the Statue of Liberty, he said.
"At 6 a.m. my mom got me up to see the Statue of Liberty," Mr. Orenski said.
"It was like a fairy tale because I had nothing to compare it to," he recalled with a smile as he sat in his apartment, which houses his business, TME Co., Inc.
At that time, settling in America and learning English were the top priorities for the then 20 year old. It would be many years later before he would find flags playing a key role in his life.
On his subway ride to Columbia University in New York to attend college, he would "read Webster's Dictionary page by page" to learn the English language.
Though a big task, learning a language was not a new experience for Mr. Orenski. While living in Europe, he spoke German at home and Romanian in the streets and learned Russian and French in school.
He also learned Italian 10 years ago, and today can be found buying French and Italian newspapers at local stores to "keep up on the languages."
His broad vocabulary assisted him greatly during his career working for Union Carbide, in and out of Connecticut, he said. It was during this time flags came into his life.
While in Russia on business with Union Carbide from 1984 to 1989, "I was able to understand them," Mr. Orenski said.
He noted that he had an interpreter with him, but he spoke privately with many businessmen.
It was during this time he began to give lapel pins to the people he met "as a way to connect with people."
Mr. Orenski recalled giving a lapel pin with the Russian and American flags on it to several Russians.

'Flag Man': a profile 1940: Born in territory which is now part of Ukraine in northern part of Romania. Only son of Stephan and Herta Orenski, who were each an only child. Father studied microbiology and mother studied musicology at the University of Vienna. 1940s-50s: Attended school. 1958: His family's "true" file  knowledge that his parents were landowners  was discovered by the government, and he had to resign from college, where he was studying chemistry. His family lived off care packages sent from his great-uncle Eric Lenk, who had moved to America in 1933. Late 1958: His mother contacted her mother in Poland, "another sister communist country," and said the Orenskis wanted to move there. The family "marched into the Austrian Embassy and showed [Peter's] grandfather's award for fighting in the Austrian War, to get Austrian citizenship," which they did. 1959-60: By a special act of Parliament, the family was allowed to enter Poland, "a much more lenient communist country." He studied chemistry at Krakau University. Eric suggested the family move to America. 1960: His family went to the American Embassy and asked for a visa. Aug. 30, 1960: Ship with the Orenski family arrived in New York City. Peter started at Columbia University. 1961: Peter's mother died. 1963: Graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree. Admitted to Ph.D. program. 1965: Became citizen of the United States of America. 1967: His father died. Completed Ph.D. program. Applied for position with Union Carbide and was hired with the understanding he was going to France for a year with the Fulbright Fellowship he received. 1968: Left France during the 1968 student revolution because it reminded him too much of his past and headed to Italy. "Became a beach bum for a month and a half." When returned to America, began working at Union Carbide. 1968-1984: Over the years, he worked in a research laboratory, conducted applied research, and managed businesses in Annapolis, Md., and Indianapolis, Ind. 1969: Married Joan. 1970: Daughter Caroline born. 1972: Marriage ended in divorce. 1984: Accepted job in Danbury branch of Union Carbide and sold licenses for making polyethylene, a position which enabled him to travel all over the world, including Columbia, Japan, England, Algeria and Turkey. He took 37 trips to Russia during this position while selling technology. Began hobby of collecting flags. 1986: Founded TME Co., Inc., his business selling Ambassador Lapel Flags & Ambassador Badges. 1987: Moved to New Milford. 1989: Retired from Union Carbide. 1991: Joined North American Vexillology Association (NAVA). 1995: Official New Milford flag, which was created from a contest organized by Mr. Orenski, was dedicated. 1996: Became treasurer of NAVA. Today: Just finished art design in Raven: A Journal of Vexillology, volume 4, "Flags of the Native Peoples of the United States." Working on art design in Raven: A Journal of Vexillology, volume 5 about the United States flag.

"They would look around to see who was watching them and then put it on," he said.
The lapel pins provided an instant bridge among people, languages and culture. The pins Mr. Orenski was purchasing from a company in Providence, R.I., became so popular, he said, he bought the rights to Ambassador Lapel Flags & Ambassador Badges.
The world of vexillology (the scientific and scholarly study of flag history and symbolism) became his "second life," he said, noting that the science (chemistry) of working with Union Carbide had been his "first life."
Upon retiring in 1989, the man who ran a marathon in Athens, Greece, in 1981 raced full force into his business, which now accommodates a variety of clients who purchase all types of Mr. Orenski's flag items.
Clients may purchase flag-decorated lapel pins, key rings, watches, pens, shirts, lighters, mugs and other accessories.
Tom Mitchell, grocery manager and an owner at M&B IGA in New Milford, has known Mr. Orenski for three or four years, he said.
"He's been a customer here, and the store helped him display some of the possible flags for New Milford" during the contest, Mr. Mitchell said.
He said Mr. Orenski helped the store get "the newest monogram shirts" for employees.
Wallie Jahn, owner of Road & Track Sports in New Milford, said Mr. Orenski does what he can to make his clients happy.
Mr. Jahn, who was selected by Mr. Orenski as a judge for the flag for New Milford contest, described the man as "true and sincere."
A friend of Mr. Orenski for seven years, Mr. Jahn said he admires the dedication "Peter has to his flags."
And when the father of one is in the public, he "has a flare around kids and adults," Mr. Jahn said.
"I'm surprised he hasn't painted his car like a flag," laughed Mr. Jahn.
Mr. Orenski has other things going for him beside his business.
Most recently he completed work as art editor for Raven: A Journal of Vexillology, volume 4, "Flags of the Native Peoples of the United States" by Donald T. Healey. The book discusses the history of more than 130 native tribes and the symbolism associated with each.
Currently, he is art editor for Raven: A Journal of Vexillology, volume 5, which includes four essays about the United States flag. The book will be released in December.
Mr. Orenski said he asks clients questions regarding symbolism and colors when it comes to designing a flag, but he ultimately "likes to have [them] design their own flags."
The Flag Man, who has pictures, posters and flags on the wall and ceiling of his living room  so he can see them when he reclines in his chair  credits America with giving him the opportunity to accomplish what he has done.
"In Europe, you are what you are born,: Mr. Orenski said. "In America, you are what you make yourself.
"That's the great thing about America," he said. "You can reinvent yourself hundreds of time."

For more information about TME Co., Inc., call (860) 354-0686, fax (860) 354-2786, or E-mail TMEALF@aol.com