Ord, Neb. — About 13 months ago, a group of Valley County residents set out to make a patriotic vision a reality. Soon, it will be.
Doug Sedlacek, vice president of the Ord flagpole project committee, said people laughed at the idea of putting a 30-by-60 flag atop a 150-foot flagpole.
Committee members were told it couldn't be done. Now they're waiting for the materials to be delivered and work to begin on what will tower over the tallest structure in Ord by about 25 feet.
Sedlacek said a check for the materials was mailed recently, and he has been told that the pole could be standing within three to five weeks.
The flag will be raised on the south side of Auble's Pond in Ord, though an exact date has not yet been set.
The five members of the Ord flagpole project committee include Air Force veteran Walt Smith, city council member and Army veteran Dan Petska, and city park board member and volunteer firefighter Ron Beran. Sedlacek is a volunteer firefighter and former city councilman, and committee president Jerry Neeman was born on Flag Day.
Neeman said previously that he envisioned the flag becoming a beacon of patriotism to Ord residents and surrounding communities. He said he imagined the Auble's Pond area lit up at night, with the spotlights on the American flag.
"People will come from miles around just to have a picnic there and see that flag," he said.
The project was given a Peter Kiewitt grant, and Sedlacek said funds were received from people across the country who thought it was a good idea.
More than $35,000 has been raised for the project.
Sedlacek said the group would continue to accept donations and raise funds to buy new flags and maintain the pole and lighting. He said the flag may need to be replaced once or even twice a year at a cost of about $1,500 to $1,700 per flag.
The flag will fly 24 hours, seven days a week.
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