American flag flies atop Historic Red Men's Hall building once again
The Vallejo skyline just got a little more patriotic.
For the first time this century, the flagpole atop Historic Red Men's Hall in Downtown Vallejo is once again flying the American flag - just in time for the nation's 250th birthday next weekend.
Red Men Samoset Tribe #22 members Kent Knight, "sachem", or leader, of the tribe, and historian Michael Bortner raised the American flag Saturday afternoon and announced it would once again fly permanently over Red Men's Hall on 431 Georgia St.
Two lights have been installed at each side of the base of the flagpole to illuminate it at night.
"This is a grand restoration and rededication of the Red Man flagpole," said Bortner. "As the membership isn't as young as it used to be, the flagpole fell into disrepair and there was no more hardware to raise and fly the flag. The flagpole was hand-machined out of wood and was really heavy."
The flag had not flown over Red Men's Hall in more than 50 years.
"On behalf of all the Red Men that went ahead and put in the good efforts to get this restored, it's cool to see this flag flying, especially with our 250th anniversary coming up," added Bortner.
In addition to commemorating the nation's independence, Red Men Samoset Tribe #22 will also celebrate more than 157 years of fraternal fellowship and community service in Vallejo.
The tribe, founded on July 19, 1869, is one of the oldest chartered lodges of the Improved Order of Red Men in California.
According to a statement released by Red Men Samoset Tribe #22, "This flagpole represents more than a piece of hardware on a rooftop. It is a declaration of pride - in our country, in our city of Vallejo, and in the long history of this Tribe. With America's 250th birthday just around the corner and our own anniversary close behind, there is no better moment to raise that flag again."
Salvadore "Sal" Rodriguez, owner of Solano-based construction business Construction Concierge, said he, along with his teammates, was able to refurbish the flagpole by carefully sanding it and reinforcing it.
"Good thing we saved the original pole instead of replacing it," said Rodriguez. "That's why we added a strong brace, just in case anything happens."
As he gazed upon the flag waving steadily in the wind, he couldn't help but break out into a smile.
"I just became a member (of Red Men Samoset Tribe #22), so to be here is historic. They are all wonderful, beautiful people," Rodriguez said.
For chapter president and tribe member Guillermo Herrera, seeing the American flag fly once again atop Red Men's Hall means the organization is now "more visible."
He noted that the tribe has grown since he first joined a year and a half ago.
"This organization connects us to our past. We're elevating what it means to be an American. We appreciate our freedoms here. We elevate this idea of individualism, but as well as a tribe, we watch for each other and make our community better," said Herrera. "We're a non-bipartisan organization. To be patriotic means that we are all in this together, for our community."
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