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Last updated on Wednesday, August 26, 2015
(BEDFORD) - Lawrence County has a new 125-foot flagpole and a new 25-foot by 40-foot American flag.
"It will be able to be seen from every direction when entering Lawrence County," says Commissioner Bill Spreen.
Crews worked Monday to erect the flagpole, which was not an easy task.
"It took all of us working together to get the job done," Spreen added.
The flagpole and flag was purchased by former Lawrence County native Steve Ferguson who is chairman of Cook Group Incorporated.
"It took many dedicated residents to finally get this project completed," Spreen says. "We couldn't have done it without them. This flagpole and flag is a great addition to what we are going with the renovations of the courthouse grounds and the other Stellar projects."
Once the flagpole arrived in Lawrence County it had to be stored. McIntyre Brothers, Inc. kept the pole at their facility for more than a year and a half.
The pole, which arrived in three sections, then had to be assembled. Stone City Iron Works completed that task.
"They welded the three sections together, sanded it and then painted it," Spreen says.
The pole is painted navy gray in honor of Capt. James Lawrence, who the county is named after. James Lawrence (October 1, 1781 - June 4, 1813) was an American naval officer. During the War of 1812, he commanded USS Chesapeake in a single-ship action against HMS Shannon commanded by Philip Broke). He is probably best known today for his last words or "dying command" "Don't give up the ship!", which is still a popular naval battle cry.
K & L Excavating then provided the crane and labor to erect the pole with Tri-County Engineering overseeing the job. Spreen says 12 feet of the pole was placed in the ground with 123 feet above ground making it the highest point in the county.
"We had it almost there but it was getting a little sticky but with the help of Richard Kern we were able to get it done," Spreen says.
Bledsoe Tapp & Riggert provided GPS locating to make sure the flagpole was erected straight.
"We got it to near perfect, within a half an inch," Spreen added.
The flag began flying thanks to members of the American Legion Post 33.
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