Eagle Scout candidate Gifts Flagpole To Dewey Town Hall

Metro Wire Staff

Eagle Scout Candidate Joshua Kolodziej and Boy Scout Troop #298 gifted a new flagpole and American flag to the Town of Dewey Town Hall and Fire Department.

To commemorate the July 18 event, community members were invited to the town hall, 430 Dewey Dr., for a flag-raising ceremony conducted by Plover Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10262.

VFW Senior Vice Commander Ken Anderson presented the folded American flag to Kolodziej and the citizens of the Town of Dewey

“We ask only that you always respect, and if necessary, defend this great and beautiful flag,” Anderson said.

Anderson and Kolodziej then attached the flag to the base of the flagpole and slowly raised it as the bugler sounded, “To The Colors.” The ceremony concluded with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Kolodziej, and a prayer by Plover VFW Chaplain Frank Raschka.

Kolodziej, who currently holds the rank of Life Scout, lives near the town hall. He came up with his Eagle Scout project when he noticed the lack of a proper flag pole at the building.

“The flag being used was a smaller one on a short pole that was attached to the sign outside the building,” said Kolodziej, 17.

With donations from local businesses, veterans’ organizations, and private citizens, Kolodziej raised the $2,000 needed to fund his project. Fellow Scout Troop #298 members assisted with the installation of the flagpole, masonry work, and landscaping improvements around the building. A metal plaque recognizing the project sponsors will be placed at a later date.

“Service projects such as this help us develop better leaders, bring communities together and inspire others,” said Scoutmaster Ron Tippel.

Kolodziej will be a senior at SPASH this fall. His parents are Greg and Lori Kolodziej and he has one brother, Zachary, also a member of Troop #298.

His future ambitions include studying biology and chemistry, and he hopes to enroll in an ROTC program to become a military officer.