[StBernard] American Flag Flies above Arabi Again

[Westley Annis]

American Flag Flies above Arabi Again

 

            For 26 years the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi, with the
help of the St. Bernard Fire Department, have maintained the flagpole and
flag at the entrance of St. Bernard Parish on St. Claude Avenue in Arabi.
The flagpole was installed by the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi in 1983
as a Kiwanis club project. In December when the Fire Department was called
upon to change the flag the Fireman noticed that there was damage to the
pulley system at the top of the flagpole. After many years of service,
surviving Hurricanes Katrina and Gustov the pulley system had failed. In
early January the repairs were planned. The main problem with repairs on the
top of the 60' flagpole is how to work safely. With the help of local
businesses and public servants the repairs were able to be planned. The St.
Bernard Sheriff's office supplied a police officer and car for traffic
control.  Mike Abba of RSC Rentals supplied a 60' man lift, Vince Cusimano
of All Service Machine Shop supplied the machinist and himself to do the
repairs and Lou Flores of Arabi Web & Sling to replaced the cable and clips
to attach the flag with the help of Jonathan Guidry. Everyone met on
Thursday January 23rd and the repairs were started. Vince Cusimano went up
to the top of the pole and removed the pulleys. With the pulley system in
hand Vincent returned to his shop to repair the pulley system. Instead of
repairing the pulley system a replacement pulley system was found. The new
pulley system was delivered on Friday morning by "Hot Shot" delivery. On
Friday morning Vince Cusimano replaced the pulley system, Lou Flores and
Jonathan Guidry replaced the cable and clips. At 11:30 AM on Friday January
26, 2009 the new American Flag was raised above Arabi. Thanks to everyone
who donated their time and equipment to make this very important Kiwanis
project a success. The Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi meets every Tuesday
at Noon at Rocky & Carlos. Anyone interested in community service is invited
to attend.