By Randy Rauck, Lumby Airforce
The 2 donated 40 ft Flag poles have now arrived in Lumby from Brisco BC! Thanks for your donation of the poles Eric Oddy. The Lumby Airforce also would like to thank Uwe Heyde from Lumby and Josh Miller from Home Hardware Invermere for arranging the delivery of the poles to the Freedom Flight Park. We have 2 poles because Jerry Thompson, the owner of most of Saddle mountain, has generously agreed to having the pole/poles on his private property, and believes it is important to eventually fly the British Columbia flag below the Canadian flag as well, and that makes good sense. Thanks, Jerry, for allowing this project to proceed. Our plan is to start with the Canadian flag and then add the BC flag below on the same pole when able. If the 2 flags add too much stress on the one pole or if we decide we want bigger flags, then we can put up a second pole later on. The recommended size flag for the pole, from the flag supplier, is 15ft X 7.5 ft and has been donated by myself, ordered and is on the way.
Now the work on the project can begin as I believe we would all really like to see it in its landmark place on top of Saddle Mountain for all to see, as per the photo, by July 1st for Canada Day… if possible. This project is mostly being done with community volunteer work and donations, so any extra assistance will be greatly appreciated. The tapered steel flag poles will have to have the top cut off, be cleaned up and sealed/painted and rigged, the mounting form will have to be built and wired with rebar, then both will have to be delivered to the top of Saddle Mountain. L.A.F. member, Ike Burkhart, has already slashed out the road going to the location and the whole road is now in decent shape so we will need another truck and 30-40 ft trailer for that haul in a few weeks. If anyone has one available, please let me know. Once at the top we plan to bring up a cement mixer and generator and start mixing and pouring the cement, unless we can find a cement truck? We will soon know how much cement and steel rebar we will need. Once the cement is cured, Caitlyn, at Wise Wood Tree Care, has offered her bucket truck for lifting the pole into place. Thanks Caitlyn. I will keep our community updated as we proceed with this landmark project. If anyone has any ideas or donations or sponsorship, please let me know, Thanks.
