Being a vexillologist, Richard:
...was curious about the height of the flag pole and the size of the flag to be flown from it. As this is a memorial to our military veterans and those killed in our nation's wars, I was reasonably sure the flag would be "G-spec" - meaning it would meet the current requirements that the U.S. Flag have an aspect ratio of 1.9:1; but I was curious about what size the architect had chosen. As it turns out, I was wrong to make that assumption.
About two weeks prior to the dedication ceremony, I made preliminary efforts to contact some of the people who were on the memorial committee, asking them about the height of the pole and the size of the flag to be flown. I heard back from two members, but neither one had the answers. One recommended that I contact the Mt. Lebanon PIO person, Ms. Susan Morgans. I anon wrote to Ms. Morgans, explaining to her that I was a professional Vexillologist and a registered Government Contractor, and my primary business was supplying military streamers and flags to military departments and organizations. I asked her for the height of the pole and the size of the flag. Her response was as follows:
"The architects are well aware of the specs and the flag and pole conform. Thanks."Yesterday, I received the following email from Mr. Gideon:
I am very pleased to report that a new U.S. Flag meeting the U.S. CODE, TITLE 4 (which includes EO10834 and PL94-344) and DDD-F-416F (a Department of Defense document describing proper U.S. Flags for use on military reservations) is now flying at the Mt. Lebanon Veterans' Memorial. It measures 8'11 3/8in x17' and is made out of parachute grade Nylon material. I was just up there and took a number of photos. When the wind catches it the sight is awe inspiring!
V/r
Richard Gideon
Richard included a photo in his email. Spectacular, Richard. Thank you for your efforts!
12 comments:
Richard,
The flag is absolutely beautiful - both symbolically and physically.
Thank you for your contribution and for sharing this with all of us.
John Kendrick
Mr. Kendrick (an all):
Just for the record, I did not contribute the flag. I did argue for a code flag instead of the "commercial" flag that had been originally installed, and provided certain documents to the Commission in order to make my case. When the original flag became worn the Commission contacted me and said they were going to replace it with a code flag. Needless to say, I was delighted.
I would like to thank all the Commission members for their attention to this matter, and in particular to Ms. Fraasch and Mr. Bendel for their supplemental communications with me.
RG
Hi Richard,
Thank you for the clarification, but I still appreciate your contribution of information, your interest and your enthusiasm for the memorial. Because of people like you our heroes will never be forgotten.
It sounds ( from the post) like Susan Stroyd blew you off. Is that what happened? Any idea why?
John Kendrick
John,
Susan's last name now is Morgans. I think RG is too much of a gentleman to answer that.
Elaine
Does anyone know if there is a web page that lists all of the contributors for the Memorial?
Does a web page exist that lists all of the contributors for the library?
What about the Athletic Supporters? If they would contribute would they be recognized?
It may change behaviors?
What I would like to see is a web page on the municipal web site that lists all of the people or corporate entities that contribute to these types of projects. The cost to implement and maintain a web page would be almost nothing - we could ask the PIO to do it ... well, we could ask ...
If you put the contributors names on the internet you discourage giving by those who don't want recognition and encourage competitive fund raising organizations to go after your big donors.
There is a way around that, 10:16 AM. They could use your name. "Anonymous"
Look on the sports teams' websites. They use your name, as well as individuals and businesses when listing sponsors.
Elaine
According to the Trib, commemorative bricks will be sold. Also, those who donate more than $1000 will have their names on the plaque. http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_686300.html#axzz2YN0rq8FG
Elaine
What percentage of the total contributions for the library came from anonymous sources? What was the same measure for the monument?
What about the athletic supporters - oh, oops! That one may be zero across the board! ;)
Similar arguments could be made for parents who want to show that they supported a project that their kids and their classmates benefitted from; or that donors to the library who frequently visit want to give something back.
We could go on all day arguing, so what data supports 10:16's position?
10:34, It is hard to get data on organizations who are stealing the names of your anonymous donors and some folks do want to give without being recognized. If this is the case for some individuals we need to respect their wishes if we want their continued support.
On the other hand, recognition and saying thanks is a very important part of the funding process so names on a brick or plaque are appropriate for those donors and that would be public information (data) as it is in the Library entrance.
Think of it this way; if you are the large anchor gift that makes the project a success you might or might not want to be recognized and a condition of the gift may be that you aren't recognized. If that is the case then we need to protect those donors who don't want to be recognized. It is the donor's choice to make their name public. It is not a RTK, data, or transparency issue.
12:31, a lack of transparency could also become a breeding ground for corruption, couldn't it?
If you listened to the last commission discussion session (9 July 2013) or watched it on the municipal website you may have heard that the municipality is still receiving contributions for the improvement and upkeep of the Veterans' Memorial on Morgan Drive. This is money coming from individuals, and is in addition to funds generated by various events designed to benefit the Memorial.
For anyone interested in making an unsolicited individual donation, send a check payable to "Mt. Lebanon" to:
Mt Lebanon
Att: Finance Dept
710 Washington Rd
Mt Lebanon, Pa 15228
Be sure to indicate the vets memorial on the memo portion of the check.
My thanks to Commissioner Fraasch for the information.
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