Flag raising ceremony planned for county courthouse

Local officials are tentatively planning on holding a small ceremony on Veterans Day to mark the raising of a new flag and flagpole in front of the Lincoln County Courthouse.

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners signed off on the event after County Administrator Patrick McFadden raised it during the Sept. 9 meeting. The idea came from several county employees and officials, including Sheriff Darren Short.

Workers replaced the aging pole in late August. A new version of the stars and stripes — larger than the previous one, officials said — was purchased. The old one was retired and turned over to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

County Commissioner Mark Peck (D-1) exalted the proposal, but warned McFadden about possible scheduling conflicts with the other Veterans Day events in town. Both the American Legion and VFW post hold ceremonies to mark the federal holiday.

“I love the idea,” Peck said of a flag raising ceremony.

McFadden said the event would feature local first responders. Organizers hope to have one or more prominent veterans raise the flag.