BARDSTOWN, Ky. – The American flag has been missing from My Old Kentucky Home for the past 29 years, after a storm took down the pole on which the flag flew for 63 years.
That will be remedied Sept. 19, when a flag dedication ceremony will be conducted by American Legion Post 42 of Bardstown, restoring the national colors to Kentucky’s official State Home. The flagpole that fell in the storm in 1996 had been dedicated on July 4, 1823, by Gov. Edwin P. Morrow.
Last year, a 9-year-old girl visiting the historic site posed the question, “Where is the flag?” A 5-year-old boy saluted to show respect for the military. The children’s actions led to the project to replace the flagpole.
Due to historical guidelines and regulations, the newly installed flagpole was located in a spot of prominence near the welcome center at the entrance of the state park. This provides added protection of the historical site from damage.
Significant time and resources for this project were contributed by American Legion Posts 42, 157, 167, and 288; Pam Blain, Dr. Pete Trzop, Jody Bryant, IMI Construction, Frank Thompson, Charlie Greenwell, Dr. Yasir Saifullah and several anonymous donors. The flag dedication will start with an invocation, opening comments, speeches by several prominent proveteran officials, raising of both the state and U.S. flags, and closed with benediction. After the ceremony, there will a barbecue lunch with 100 percent of proceeds from sales and donations going to the Veterans Assistance Fund.
For any information or assistance, please contact Dr. Pete Trzop at 502 510 0749, ptrzop@hotmail.com or Facebook.