Pole arrives for flag display at the Mound
Sep. 28—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Sections of a new pole that will fly the U.S. flag high atop the Mound in Westmont for people in the valley and surrounding hills to see were delivered on Wednesday morning.
Centennial Flag Committee officials expect Flag Station USA, of Altoona, to assemble and install the pole next week, weather permitting.
An original 120-foot-tall flagpole that was first acquired in 1989 recently started to show wear, so a decision was made to replace it. That has resulted in the familiar flag not being seen waving above Johnstown Inclined Plane hill.
"Everybody misses Old Glory flying over Johnstown," committee member Sandi McQuaide said.
The committee started a fund drive in May with the goal of raising $70,000 for the project.
More than $87,000 has been donated so far. Contributions are still being accepted in order to build up the funds needed for perpetual care, such as paying for replacement 30-foot by 60-foot flags, electricity for lighting, insurance and general operating expenses.
"The response was incredible," said Rosalie Danchanko, a committee member. "I think this community is probably one of the most patriotic communities probably in the nation. Obviously because we have so many veterans in the area. They love their country. They love their flag. It was an easy sale to get people to help us get that flagpole."
A formal dedication ceremony is scheduled for Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at 11:11 a.m., the exact time when the Armistice of 11 November 1918 ended World War I.
