Sen. Roger A. Madigan, R-Bradford, has announced the awarding of a $15,000 grant to the Williamsport-Lycoming County Chapter of the National Flag Foundation. The grant supports the care and maintenance of the 30-by-60-foot American flag that flies above the city from Pennsylvania College of Technology's main campus entrance along Maynard Street in Williamsport.
The flag, which flies atop a 120-foot pole and can be seen from various points around the community, was dedicated Nov. 1, 2000. Hundreds of contributors provided cash and services to erect and maintain the flag as a symbol of American patriotism. The local chapter of the foundation continues to collect funds to provide perpetual care for the flag.
"This flag belongs to the community and, thanks to the generous assistance of Sen. Madigan, it will continue to fly above our city for generations to come," said Anthony L. DiSalvo, chairman of the Williamsport-Lycoming County Flag Committee.
According to DiSalvo, regular costs include replacing and repairing flags as needed. A new flag costs approximately $2,100, he said, adding: "To keep the flag flying requires that, not one, but several, be available to College personnel who monitor the flag. That way, the flags can be sent out for repair when they are damaged by high winds."
The National Flag Foundation, through its Flags Across America campaign, has an objective of placing a similar flag in every county in the United States. The local flag was the third erected in Pennsylvania.