Flag has new home

In 1964, then-Junior Chamber of Commerce members including Terry Collesano, left, and Richard Williams happened upon a large flag and flagpole set to be removed from the Old Fort Niagara Officer's Club. At their request, OFN donated the flag to the Jaycees. The club members then petitioned the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees to plant the flag and flagpole in what residents today know as the "Hibbard's triangle," the park space across from the custard stand on Center Street.

The patriotic marker remained there for almost 50 years, until it was recently removed to give way to the Tuscarora Heroes monument. Fortunately, the village was able to relocate the flag and flagpole to Water Street, and plant it in between Water Street Landing and The Silo Restaurant.

Last week, Collesano and Williams paid a visit to the flag they rescued in 1964.

"I was upset that they were taking it down, but now that it's got a new home I'm happy," Williams said. "The Canadians can see it. The people in the river can see it. Everybody that comes here can see it."

"It lives on," Collesano said. (photo by Joshua Maloni)