Huge American Flag to Be Raised Nov. 1 at College Entranceway
Thursday, October 12, 2000
A 30- by 60-foot American flag will be unfurled atop a 120-foot flagpole on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the culmination of months of planning and fund raising by a group of local volunteers for the "Flags Across America" campaign.
The initiative − sponsored by the nonprofit, Pittsburgh-based National Flag Foundation − has approached the goal of its ongoing fund-raising campaign by collecting nearly $80,000 in cash and in-kind contributions from hundreds of individuals, organizations and businesses in the area.
The effort by the Williamsport-Lycoming County Chapter of the NFF was spearheaded by Anthony DiSalvo, who served as president of a committee appointed by Williamsport Mayor Steven W. Cappelli. Other members of the committee are: Patti R. Levering, secretary; Frank Concino, treasurer; James Casale, director; and Dr. William J. Martin, director.
The flag will be raised in ceremonies beginning at 1 p.m. at the main entrance to the College, off Maynard Street. It will be carried by a group of Korean War veterans assisted by students from area school districts. A military honor guard will raise the flag. The Williamsport Area High School band will play patriotic music for the proceedings.
Remarks will be made by Penn College President Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, Cappelli, DiSalvo and David White, a representative of "Flags Across America."
The goal of "Flags Across America" is to raise one such flag in every county in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation while educating young people about the U.S. flag. The initiative was inspired by the raising of a flag in Johnstown in 1989 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Johnstown flood.
Organizers hope the flags will serve as a constant reminder of American unity and the preservation of freedom, while fostering civic pride and community cohesiveness. Each site is chosen, designed, developed and maintained by individuals and organizations in the host community working with the local NFF chapter.
The public is welcome to attend the ceremonies, which will take place on the north side of the Maynard Street entrance to Penn College.