MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
At our 50th reunion, we decided to donate a plaque and medallion commemorating the internment of the US flag which was flown over the North Catholic High School construction site and damaged beyond repair near the end of the school building project. (Please see the North Catholic Flag Story below)
We are pleased to let you know that as of March 17, 2020 both the plaque and medallion are installed and now a permanent part of the building and tradition of North Catholic. We hope you can visit the school in the future.
Congratulations and thank you to all who were involved in bringing this project to a successful conclusion. Salute to Tim Rowlands for coordinating the design and purchase of the plaque and medallion. A special thanks to Tim Hanna for starting this whole thing because of his respect for the flag, as well as his effort and skills used in installing both items in the school.
This project could not have been done without the support of all our classmates who contributed to this project. Each of you can proudly proclaim you are:
Forever True
Best Wishes to All,
Class of ’68 Reunion Committee
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The North Catholic Flag Story
In 2013 North Catholic High School was building its new home in Cranberry Township. NC Class of 1968 member Tim Hanna was the construction superintendent for the project and fortunately for everyone, Tim is a resourceful, caring, and patriotic individual. During construction an incident occurred that put Tim and by extension, the class of ’68 in a position to make an indelible mark on the school. All the while honoring everything we stand for as Christians and Citizens.
Here’s Tim’s Story
It is a U.S. custom in new construction for the final framing member of a structure to be adorned with the American Flag. This flag flies atop the building until it is necessary to remove it for further construction. Then it is removed and can be presented to the new owner.
Such was the case at the new North Catholic High School. But before the flag was removed, it was taking on the strong March winds and the edges were becoming frayed until it was blown from the roof and into thorn bushes behind the school. Once I retrieved Old Glory, she was no longer in a condition to be re-attached to the new building where the students would one day pledge their allegiance to it. The tattered flag was carefully gathered and folded in a respectful manner and secured until a decision could be made regarding its future. Construction of the building went on as scheduled.
The crew felt it should remain a part of the school, so we decided to retire it within the new structure of North Catholic High School.
On June 14, 2013, Flag Day, this first flag of the new North Catholic High School was ceremoniously retired. Construction stopped and the flag was processed into the building during lunch break led by a bag piper, also an alumnus of North Catholic. Veterans working at the site read aloud the significance of the stars, the stripes and the colors of the flag. About 80 men lined the still muddy great hall to pay their respects. The flag was retired into a specially prepared area of the unfinished landing of the main staircase leading to the second floor. We all said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang America the Beautiful. We closed with God Bless America, played on the bagpipes. The landing and staircase were filled with concrete to form the main staircase you see today. Our first flag will always be with us within the landing of that staircase.
The location of the flag is marked by a metal disc in the landing of the concrete stairs.