Skip to content

Lumby already seeking out bigger Canadian flag

Flag raising of Canadian flag x two on Saddle Mountain July 1 a big hit with the village

Go bigger.

That's the thought of the Lumby Air Force Flying Club two days after erecting a large Canada flag for the village to see on Saddle Mountain Canada Day morning.

Hundreds watched the flag raise at 10:30 a.m. July 1 at Oval Park, part of the Canada Day festivities in Lumby.

"I think it was a wonderful project; thanks to all who contributed," said Margaret Helen Filiatrault on the Around the Block Lumby Facebook page. "It was great to witness the moment the flag was raised."

And while the flag has only been up and waving for a couple of days, people are already asking the flying club about a bigger flag.

"This one (15-feet by 7.5-feet) was the recommended flag for a 40-foot pole from the flag manufacturer, so we ordered it early," said Randy Rauck, from the flying club, on Facebook. The club spearheaded the the community flag project.

"Because of the way the pole was built out of steel, with a strong cement and rebar foundation, we think it can handle more. So we are looking for sponsors now to try a one-size-bigger flag, 20-feet by 20-feet."

The cost of the bigger flag is $1,000, and since posting on social media, donations totalling more than $600 have been received.

"If you, or anyone you know, would like to sponsor a bigger flag, contact me directly at 250-307-7553," said Rauck. E-transfers can be sent to lumbyairforce@gmail.com.

Two flag poles were erected for Canada Day, and both poles have Canadian flags flying. However, the original plan is to have a big B.C. flag join the Canada flag with a special flag-raising ceremony set for B.C. Day, Monday, Aug. 4.

The Lumby Air Force paid tribute to a number of people and groups on social media for their help with the project.

 

Said the club: "Garth Hemming welded all the rigging parts to the pole, the day and night before. Gerry Dykes showed up with his truck and trailer and loader Thursday morning at 7 a.m. and we got the poles on the truck and up to the top of Saddle Mountain. Gerry did a great job navigating the tight turns.

"Caitlyn Snyder from Wise Wood Tree Care Ltd. brought her bucket truck up and her chipper and we managed to get the poles erected with the assistance of all the volunteers onto their connection on the forms. Jerry Thompson for the location permission and excavator; to Lumby Air Force members and flyers and friends Garth Hemming for the welding and pole rigging.

"Uwe Hyde of Lumby for arranging to get the poles to Lumby, Ike Burkhart for slashing out the road in and assisting in clearing the area so the trucks could deliver and so the chipping could be done; Francois Pelletier for being the pole lifting director and rope specialist and climbing the pole; Balaji Iyengar as bucket rider, and Xavier Nadeau-Aubin for doing the forms with Bill Cawthorn.

"Eric Oddy of Brisco for donating the poles; David Mucciacito for arranging the cement from Burnco Rock Products; Gerry Dyck of Angus River Woodworks for getting the poles up the mountain; Dan Rose and Warren Baines for running the excavator and who helped clear the area and excavated the two flag pole locations with us; Rencon Rentals in Vernon for the rebar; and Wade Tearne from Rona who who arranged for the form wood, nails, screws and misc parts."

"We all hope it lasts a long time and stands as a great reminder of the need for unity now, a unique landmark for Lumby and a great wind indicator for the local and visiting flyers from around the world," said Rauck.

 

 



Roger Knox

About the Author: Roger Knox

I am a journalist with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. I started my career in radio and have spent the last 21 years working with simplymastery.
Read more