Oakmont Carnegie Library Dedicates Its New Flagpole

An American flag now is flying over the thanks to many Oakmont residents and officials.

About 40 residents attended a dedication ceremony at the library on Monday for the library's new flagpole.

For about seven years, there was no flag at the library because of the deterioration of the  library's old flagpole, said library director Beth Mellor.

As a government-funded building and a public building, it's important for the library to have a flag, she said.

Thanks to the efforts of the library's director, the library Board of Directors, local residents and officials, funds were procured for a new flagpole and flag.

State Rep. Frank Dermody (D-Oakmont) and resident Bill "Red" McElligot helped secure funding. Former Oakmont councilman Mark Gleason donated the flag.

As Oakmont resident Tony Pallatto, a Vietnam veteran, raised the flag for the first time, those in attendance recited the "Pledge of Allegience." Jeannie Sweeney Ambrose, also a Vietnam vet, saluted with pride.

"I'm so happy to see it," Ambrose said. "We've waited a long time. I cried."