The flag site exits because of the vision and dedication of
prior Committees with the generosity of the citizens of Somerset County,
PA.
The current Committee is committed to the long-term maintenance of the
flag site,
which is dedicated to all Somerset County veterans and to the flag pole
which is dedicated to the Flight 93 heroes
If successful, our work will never be finished.
History
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1993 |
1994 | 1995 |
1997 | 1998 |
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2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
| 2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
| 2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 | 2023 |
| 2024 |
1993
The first flag raising by the Somerset County Flag Committee occurred on Flag Day, June 14, 1995. But the effort began much earlier.
The newspaper images that follow are from a notebook compiled by
Dorothy E. (Schmucker) Saylor for her husband Stewart W. Saylor -
both early supporters of the
Committee. All of the articles in the Saylor notebook are from the
Daily American and are used here with permission.
Additional pictures have been added from other members of the Committee.
The following article appeared in the Daily American, January 21,
1993.
Raising the needed funds continued for many months and received the support of many organizations, groups, companies and individuals.
April 5, 1993 the Kingwood Lodge 1010, IOOF; Kingwood Grange 1765
and Queen Victoria Rebekahs 575 donation efforts are pictured below.
April 15, 1993 the Last Man's Club of Berlin, World War II
Veterans are pictured with their donation.
April 23, 1993 the Somerset/Cambria Sons of the American
Revolution, Great Crossings Chapter of Daughters of the American
Revolution and the Forbes Road DAR are pictured with another
donation.
May 29, 1993 Deaner Funeral Homes donates money to purchase a
stripe for the flag.
June 18, 1993 Somerset VFW Post 554 and auxiliary, Military Order
of the Cooties and the Marine Corps League, Somerset present a
donation.
June 30, 1993 the VIS Club in Somerset donate for the purchase of
a star.
July 4, 1993 the new flag was unfurled and carried by Boy Scouts
and volunteers during the 49th annual Friedens Fourth of July
parade.
November 19, 1993 permanent site for flag will be near the
Ramada.
November 26, 1993 groundbreaking
November 27, 1993 the Somerset County Homebuilders and Suppliers
Association donate for a star.
1994
February 18, 1994the Fleetwood Folding Trailers employee's fund
and the auxiliary to Somerset Aerie 1801, Fraternal Order of the
Eagles each donate for a star.
March 2, 1994 donations are accepted from the Somerset Jaycees
and the Somerset County Chapter 587 of the Vietnam Veterans of
America and the Somerset American Legion Post 181.
May 14, 1994 Students in the Turkeyfoot Valley Area school
district were the first Somerset County students to raise $500 for a
star.
August 31, 1994 Agway donates to flag.
November 1, 1994 donation of $100 or more are accepted from Guy
and Rozella Spoerlein, Dr. Henry and D. Aurora Cube, Ken Trent and
Mary Irons.
June 2, 1994 flagpole arrives at site.
July 5, 1994 flag is unfurled at the Somerset football field
during the All of Us Community Day.
Excavation articles from March and June 1995
November 21, 1994 Ice TRACS donates to the flag project
1995
June 1995 Flag dedication set for June 14.
June 14, 1995 A special day in Somerset.
June 16, 1995 Patriotism still at work
June 14, 1995 Flag up and flying as a new landmark
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1997
August 1997 Flag committee honors Fleetwood and VFW Post 554
During a chance conversation, November 2012, the two Fleetwood
employees responsible for the flag repairs were identified.
At Fleetwood, Shirley Albright was know as Betsy Ross and Gary
Estnick as George Washington for their efforts
to repair many of the Committee's damaged flags. Our sincere thanks
to these employees and also to Fleetwood's support.
1998
April 25, 1998 Somerset flag slated for Legion magazine
June 15, 1998 Somerset Flag Day observance
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top .
Highlights
- Plans formed by early 1993 for a 30 by 60 foot flag atop a 120 foot flagpole
- Fund raising begins by seeking sponsors of $500 stars and $2,000 stripes
- Project costs estimated to require at least $50,000
- Phase one completed 1995
- Phase two completed 1998
- Phase three continues