Return to ‘Glory’
Refurbished flagpole, new flag to be dedicated in Canonsburg
Christopher Staud has long had a fascination with flags.
So much so, in fact, that he decided to restore the 90-foot flagpole at the Pennsylvania Transformer Technology property in Canonsburg and add a new American flag during a ceremony on Flag Day.
The flagpole was erected there in 1953, but was in need of refurbishment. The new 25-by-15-foot flag will be called “The Flag Over East End.”
“I saw this flagpole on my porch one day and told (my fiancee) I was going to put a flag on it,” said the Canonsburg resident. “I decided to start a foundation moving forward to refurbish forgotten flags in the community such as this one.”
Staud, a 10-year U.S. Army veteran, is co-founder, with fiancee Rachel Weaver, of the Forgotten Flag Foundation, which is committed to restoring and improving flag displays across the country.
“I’ve been trying to give back to the community and veterans and to raise patriotism throughout the community,” Staud said. “This was a calling.”
The foundation’s mission is to educate and inspire citizens on the importance of honoring the flag and displaying it with pride. Staud said membership sits at “two dozen and growing every day.”
Staud said the cost of the project cost just under $30,000, raised through donations and fundraisers. Restoration work was handled by Unique Services & Applications of Pittsburgh.
The new flag will be dedicated at 10 a.m. on Flag Day, June 14, in the lot of Sarris Candies, in front of Sam’s Pizza Shop. The flag will be raised at the Pennsylvania Transformer property.
The Canonsburg VFW Post 191 Honor Guard will present a 21-gun salute, and the Young Marines will raise the flag. The guest of honor will be Jim Hanna, a World War II veteran from Canonsburg who will turn 101 the week of the ceremony.
“We plan to have a daylong community event to promote patriotism and honor veterans by bringing the great people of Canonsburg as one,” Staud said.
Mayor Dave Rhome said Staud approached him a couple months ago about being involved in the flag restoration.
“This flagpole has not been in operation for well over 30 years,” said Rhome. “It’s just so fitting that we recognize that that flag needs to come back active. It celebrates the men and women, the veterans here in Canonsburg, the men and women who worked here.”
The flag will be illuminated with three powerful light standards.
“The hope and the dream is to celebrate it with lighting that will be on at all times,” Rhome said.
“You’ll be able to see it all around East End, for sure,” Staud added.
Rhome said the project was met with enthusiasm by Pennsylvania Transformer.
Dennis Blake, general manager, said the flagpole had been blocked by trees, so he was not aware of its existence during his 28 years with the company.
“We got pretty excited about it,” Blake said. “We just started clearing out all of the trees and making space. Our new company, Quanta (Services Inc), which bought us about a year ago, is very big into veterans. They were out here the other day and said they wanted to make it look nice.”
Councilman Eric Miller has been working with Staud on the project.
“He came to me about this in March and I told him I’d do whatever he needs to help support him and get to where we are,” Miller said.
Staud said the truck – which is the finial or ball – at the top of the flagpole will contain a bullet, razor blade and match, in keeping with military tradition. Legend has it that the last survivor of an enemy attack is tasked with using the razor blade to cut up the flag and the match to burn it properly. The bullet would be used for the soldier’s defense or to shoot himself to avoid capture. Staud opted to put two of each of the items inside, for good measure.
“You don’t even know (how exciting this is),” Staud said. “I’ve had to stop and just enjoy it. It just opened the door for how happy it makes me for everybody to see this.”