We subscribe to the Messenger and feel that you folks have the interest and support of Montgomery County in your publication.
That being said, I would seek your help in addressing a problem that weighs on me heavily: that of the stadium flags at both Christiansburg and Blacksburg High Schools.
Christiansburg is a relative minor one. In 1989, when they moved the stadium to its present location, my wife and I asked if we could assist in any way.
A flagpole and flag were needed. We raised funds by doing a vacation raffle and other things and got a decent pole and an oversized flag (10’ by 20’). We were gone for a number of years and when we came back, and attended a game, gone was the nice-sized flag. It looked like they were flying a postage stamp up there! How disappointing!
I know flags are expensive, but lots of civic organizations would have donated one, had they been asked. Also, one might say that the flag was oversized for the pole. Maybe it was, but if you look at the one at 1st Team Nissan in Christiansburg, how great it looks and the pole is not the important thing.
At Blacksburg High School stadium the flag situation is utterly ridiculous. The flagpole, such as it is, stands back behind a jungle of fence overshadowed by a concession stand and is relatively obscure.
No working lights, and when I checked it out in the daylight, another disappointment. It appeared that its designer had forgotten about a flag and had to put it somewhere. When the national anthem was played, you could not see the flag in the dark, but even lighted it would have been overshadowed by its surroundings.
I think this really looks bad on the community of which I am a part and have been for a long time.
Ideally, the flagpole should be moved to the west end of the stadium on the Blacksburg side, where there appears to be ample space and it will certainly be more visible to the fans.
If some civic organization or organizations will fund this project, I will be glad to do the legwork for it.
I have been a supporter of Blacksburg sports beginning in the 1950s when the Jaycees were the town’s only recreational programs. Our children, and now our grandchildren, are now attending Blacksburg and patriotism is very important to us.
As you can tell, I sound like a proud military veteran and I am, of four years, not necessarily a flag-worshipper, but it does mean a lot.
Those interested in helping out can reach Yearout at 540-953-0865 or bobyearout@verizon.net.
Bob Yearout,
Blacksburg
