New Flagpole to be Dedicated at Oakwood Cemetery Saturday

The public is invited to a ceremonial flag raising at Oakwood Cemetery Saturday morning.

At 11 a.m., a new flag will be raised on a new flagpole at the city-owned cemetery.

The project was managed by veterans George Perrault, Pete Belaire and Bob Kwiecinski.

The project was funded by private donations, though city employees helped with planning and installation of the flagpole.

At a Belaire explained the importance of the project.

“We’re standing here as veterans. We served to protect that flag. But that’s not why we’re doing this project. We’re doing it because every time we march down to that cemetery, we look for that flag. It should be a beacon that draws your eyes to that cemetery," said Belaire. “Our ancestors are buried there. Not only the veterans, but all the ancestors who helped build this great community. We need to pay a special homage to them.”

As soon as word spread about the project, local residents stepped up to help.

Jim Robison, of Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home, , Perrault said.

“He came forward within days after sending out letters to 200 businesses,” Perrault said.

Robison cut a check for $2,510 to pay the entire cost of the flagpole.

That was just part of the project.

“Our second goal was to improve the LED energy-efficient lighting in the area of the flagpole,” Perrault said.

Days after Robison’s donation, Fred Hamilton, President of K&F Electric, committed to upgrading the lighting.

The extra money raised will be used for a multi-year service contract that will see flags replaced every three months and maintenance cost savings.