Wes Pierce, commander of American Legion Post 417 in Mount Sterling, presents a $1,000 donation to Madison-Plains Treasurer Todd Mustain (left) and Supt. Tim Dettwiller for the school district’s “Raise the Flag” project.
(Posted Aug. 13, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Madison-Plains Local Schools is raising money to install a large American flag on a 40-foot tall pole near its elementary building at Linson Road and State Route 38.
“It gives us that beacon for that end of campus and also is part of campus beautification projects that we started last year,” said Superintendent Tim Dettwiller.
“It gives that front porch feel to the district along Route 38,” said Treasurer Todd Mustain.
The set-up will replace a 20-foot tall flagpole that stood in the area before the elementary building was constructed when the district consolidated all of its grades on Linson Road.
The cost of the new flagpole and flag is $10,000. Set in a concrete base, it will be lit by solar-powered lights. The goal is to complete installation by the end of August. Two locations are under consideration: in front of the elementary building or between the varsity baseball field and playground near the elementary.
Dettwiller initiated fundraising earlier this summer. To date, the initiative has raised $4,500 in private donations. The most recent donation came from American Legion Post 417 in Mount Sterling.
“We have a long relationship with Madison-Plains,” said Wes Pierce, Post 417 commander, noting that the post has made donations to the band boosters and sent students to Buckeye Boys State for years. The post’s Auxiliary sends students to Buckeye Girls State.
“One of the main purposes of the American Legion is Americanism. Also, we support our local schools. The flag pole and American flag fall under that,” Pierce said, as to why the post made the donation.
To donate to the project, visit the district’s website, www.mplsd.org, and click on the “Raise the Flag” tab on the lefthand side of the home page. From there, donations can be made online via EZpay. Or make checks out to “Madison-Plains Local Schools” and mail them to 55 Linson Road, London, OH 43140.
For more information about the project, call the school district’s administrative offices at (740) 852-0290.
