Ribbon Cut for the Woodlawn Cemetery Flag Pole

Just in time for Memorial Day, new American and POW flags are now flying high atop a newly installed flag pole over Woodlawn Cemetery, thanks to members of the Leadington VFW Post #5741.

The sky was a beautiful blue and the temperature was perfect today for a Chamber-hosted ribbon cutting to celebrate the very first flight of the flags.

Brenda Mattingly, Cemetery Coordinator for the City of Leadington, helped to organize the event in hopes of expressing some much-deserved appreciation to Commander Bill Henson and several members of VFW Post #5741. When the need for a new pole was identified, members of the post went above and beyond, removing the existing pole which was sadly worn and badly leaning, and replacing it with a brand new telescoping pole and two new flags to boot. The post and its members covered the cost of all materials and labor for the project.

Both Mattingly and Henson expressed heartfelt sentiments of appreciation before the cutting of the ribbon, after which the pole was officially raised to its highest position for the first time.

The scissors were held/ribbon cut by Commander Bill Henson and the ribbon was held by (left to right) VFW Post #5741 Post members Tom Joyce, Tony Barry - SVC, Angelo Barry, and Anthony Barry – ADJ.

The ceremony was attended by Donna Hickman from Congressman Smith’s office, County Commissioner Gallagher, Leadington City Councilmen Steve Kinsey and Andrew Young, members of the Leadington VFW Post #5741, various City of Leadington officers and staff members, and Park Hills – Leadington Chamber of Commerce board members, ambassadors, and investors.

See the post on our Facebook Page for more photos of today's event and the flag pole construction progress.