The Mountain Top Historical Society, along with about a dozen members of the Fairview High School Class of 1962, recently conducted a flag raising ceremony at the society’s grounds along Route 309 in Fairview Township.
The flag pole on which the flag flies stood at the property of the former Fairview High School, which was destroyed by a fire on March 31, 1977.
The flag pole was secured by the late John Herron Sr. shortly after the fire and was preserved by his family. The flag which was raised flew over the state capital in Harrisburg and was presented to the society by state Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township. The Crestwood High School band played the school’s alma mater and the national anthem during the ceremony. Rev. Neil Partington, of Mountain Top Presbyterian Church, offered invocation. Also in attendance was Crestwood School District Superintendent Vito Quaglia.
In addition to members of the Fairview High School Class of 1962, members of the Herron family were present for the ceremony.
“It’s such a great feeling to see the flag being raised on the pole,” said John Herron Jr.
His father secured the pole from the high school property to keep it from being demolished along with the rest of the fire-gutted building.
“We were honored when the historical society asked us for it,” he added.
Herron said his father had planned to erect the flag pole near his home but passed away a short time after he obtained it. The Herron family preserved the pole for 45 years until it was given to the society. Historical society members Eric Aigeldinger, Steve McGinnis, and John Kirn painted and erected the pole on the society’s property, a short distance from the caboose it recently acquired.
