Derry VFW taking donations for flagpole at Veterans Memorial Bridge

Aug. 17--Derry Borough soon may have a new patriotic landmark, with the help of local veterans and the public.

The town's Chestnut Ridge Veterans of Foreign Wars post is accepting donations toward installation of a U.S. flag and pole alongside the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The flag will be flown atop a heavy-duty, 30-foot aluminum pole and will be visible to Derry residents as well as motorists who drive over the bridge spanning the Norfolk Southern rail tracks that gave rise to the community. Plans are to light the flag at night so it can be displayed around the clock.

"You'll be able to see it from all over town," according to Chris Johnston, quartermaster of the VFW post.

The pole will be installed near the entrance to Derry's downtown business district, in an area that had served as a ramp to a previous version of the bridge, Johnston said.

"It's a wonderful gesture and a fitting place to erect it," borough Councilman Al Checca said of the pole.

Opened in October 2016, the $9.9 million bridge on Route 217 was built next to the older structure it replaced. It was formally dedicated on Veterans Day that year, named in honor of "all veterans -- today, future and past," Johnston said.

Though the covid-19 pandemic ruled out participation by other groups in this year's Memorial Day parade in Derry, Johnston noted local veterans "just did it, without notification," following the usual route and ending with an honor roll ceremony in front of the borough municipal building.

The flagpole project was proposed shortly thereafter. "We contacted PennDOT and got their approval, and we're marching forward," said Johnston.

The flagpole will be provided and installed by A.G. Trimble Company of Pittsburgh while a local veteran has offered his services to complete wiring for the lights.

Public donations are being sought toward the expected project cost of about $5,500. By mid-August, organizers had collected more than a third of that fundraising total, Johnston said.

"We should have no problem meeting our goal," he said. "We want to have people in the community donate so they feel they're a part of it.

"We're going to have a dedication ceremony, hopefully, on Veterans Day."

Donations may be submitted to the VFW Flagpole Fund and are being accepted at the Derry Area Federal Credit Union, 160 E. First Ave., Derry. For more information, contact Johnston at 724-694-2538.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff at 724-836-6622, jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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