News Articles  -  Press Releases  -  Endorsements  -  Upcoming Events

June 15, 2006
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Winning Essay to be Read at the New Flag Retirement Center

Winning essay to be read at new flag retirement center
Thursday, June 15, 2006
By Al Lowe

"The American flag is, by definition, a symbol, but there is no definition to the numerous things it stands for. The wonder is how so many people could all look at one object, a flying piece of fabric, and be overwhelmed with pride for our nation.

"It's more than fabric. It's more than a flag. It is our flag, the American flag."

That is the concluding paragraph of a winning essay submitted to Allegheny County Council by North Catholic High School junior Natalie Sipple, of McCandless.

She read her essay at a dedication ceremony yesterday for the By the Dawn's Early Light U.S. flag retirement area, newly added to South Park. The essay contest on the meaning of the flag received 22 entries from Allegheny County and they were judged by a committee comprising representatives of the Veterans Administration, the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation and Community College of Allegheny County.

Natalie, 17, daughter of structural engineer David Sippel and his wife, Barbara, was encouraged by her creative writing teacher to enter the contest and said she "couldn't believe it" when notified she had won.

The new flag retirement area at South Park is a pavilion with a pit for incineration in its center.

	Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Bob Sokol, 63, of McKeesport, a Vietnam war veteran, participates at the dedication of the U.S. flag in a Flag Day service at Palisades at McKees Point in McKeesport on Saturday. Click photo for larger image.

The idea for it came from John Kovach, of Bethel Park, who organizes the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations each year for that community. He suggested it during a 45-minute conversation with Bud Gastgeb, a former Marine, the father of county Councilman Vince Gastgeb and a volunteer at his son's office.

"It is hard to believe that people never thought of doing this before," Vince Gastgeb, of Bethel Park, said.

The U.S. flag is a symbol of America's honor, courage and strength and members of Scout troops, military troops and veterans routinely learn that there is a proper way to dispose of the flag with all the dignity and respect it deserves. The protocol says that when the U.S. flag becomes worn, torn, soiled or faded, it is time to replace it with a new one and the old one should be retired by the traditional method of incineration.

Flags should be cut by shears or scissors in a methodical manner so they are easier to incinerate. Warning: Nylon flags incinerate fast.

Vince Gastgeb searched for the proper site in South Park for a flag retirement area and, when he saw one, he thought "it was a gift from God."

It is behind the South Park Children's Theater, close to the Boy Scout Building and across the street from a playground. It is accessible, because it is right off Brownsville Road, and electricity, parking and bathroom facilities are available.

He consulted county Chief Executive Dan Onorato, who thought it was a good idea. They figured the cost of creating the site would be $50,000, and "we ought to be able to find the money somewhere," Mr. Gastgeb said.

The essay contest was also Mr. Kovach's idea, he said. "He felt children should play a big part in this and should understand the meaning of our flag," Mr. Gastgeb said.

And, once again, Mr. Kovach was helping to organize a patriotic ceremony.

Three wreaths were laid yesterday representing the POWs, military personnel killed in action and those who are currently serving on active duty.

The George Washington and Ebenezer Zane chapters of the Sons of American Revolution provided an honor escort.

A flag was folded 13 times to represent 13 lives lost by Allegheny County military in Afghanistan and Iraq. Before each fold, the name, rank, age and military branch was read.

"Not only is our flag an icon of the American forces for the regular citizen looking at it, but soldiers and sailors and others in the military must feel something special," Natalie read from her essay.

"Everything they stand for, believe in and fight for is signified in that one simple piece of cloth with three colors. If they are abroad, the flag gives them hope and symbolizes support from those at home. ... It symbolizes their entire life, all their being. ...

"Every citizen that looks at the flag is proud to be an American."

Photo Album - District 5 - Contact Us

All rights reserved 2007
Paid for by "Committee to Elect Gastgeb"