Flag pole update
To the editor:
An update on the American Legion Auxiliary “Flag Pole Project.” Since news of the project first appeared in the Eagle, the response and support from our community has been fantastic! I received only two calls commenting that the bent pole be left as a remembrance of Hurricane Charley. My biggest problem was that I could not find a metal fabricator or welder who was needed to reinforce the pole.
It’s been a long time since I have experienced a Christmas Miracle, but Dec. 8, was a day of miracles. My son flew in from Cincinatti to celebrate my birthday and I received a call from a local electrical company that has been providing commercial and industrial electrical services throughout Southwest Florida for over a quarter of a century. The owner of the company lives on Fort Myers Beach and owns a home on the island. He heard about our flag project and has graciously offered his company’s service to do whatever is necessary to get the pole straightened. In addition, his crew will be scraping the rust off, painting it and providing the necessary hardware so that Old Glory can fly again as a reminder of the sacrifices our veterans, active military personnel and their families have made, and continue to make, to keep us all safe.
Weather permitting, the work on the flag pole will be started on Jan. 3. The Auxiliary is planning an elaborate Flag Raising Ceremony the week after the flag pole is ready, All islanders are welcome to attend, details of date and time will be forthcoming.
Lynda Newman, Treasurer
Pine Island American Legion Auxiliary