New Flagpole Dedicated at VA’s Vancouver Community Living Center to Honor Deceased Veterans

On Aug. 14, 2024, a new flagpole was officially dedicated at the VA’s Vancouver campus CLC. The dedication included the raising of the American Flag on the new pole for the first time while those who attended the ceremony sang the Star-Bangled Banner. The project allows VA staff and patients to participate in flag ceremonies honoring the death of any Veteran staying at the Community Living Center (CLC).

The three who raised the inaugural flag were the CLC’s Nurse Director Jay Roberts and two Facilities Management Services (FMS) workers who undertook the project, Adam Coleman and David Olsen.

“So many of the Veterans who die in our care separated from the military 50 years ago or more,” said CLC staff Chaplain Greg Widmer. “It is important to offer them a final salute. Everyone who wears our nation’s uniform sacrifices aspects of their mind, body, and soul,” Chaplain Widmer added.

When a Veteran dies in the CLC, staff and patients participate in a “final walk” to the front entrance for transportation to the funeral home. Immediately following this departure, or the next business day, Chaplain Service leads a flag ceremony where the Veteran is honored, Chaplain Widmer said. A memorial poster is also placed on an easel near the CLC main entrance so that all personnel entering the building are aware of the Veteran’s passing.

“These ceremonies consist of a brief space for those gathered to share memories and the way the Veteran impacted their lives,” he added.

At these individual Veterans’ flag ceremonies, the Veterans’ loved ones are invited to hang the service branch flag on the pole during the playing of Taps. That service flag is raised on the pole and remains for the duration of that business day.

“Flying their branch flag at half-staff along with the American flag is a time-honored tradition to send them out with dignity and respect,” Chaplain Widmer said.

With the number of flag ceremonies increasing, the Chaplain Service felt a need to make some improvements. According to Widmer, so far this fiscal year there have been 45 flag ceremonies.

A work order request by Lead Recreational Therapist Stephen Schutzler was submitted in June 2023 to have the old flagpole repainted. Facilities Management Services determined it posed a safety risk and would have to be replaced, as it was originally installed in 1985 when the CLC first opened and had deteriorated to the point of not being able to be saved. The lanyard used to raise and lower the flags were exposed and did not meet current safety protocols, and the pole’s footing was not adequate to support the weight of a flag that would be flapping in the wind and also needed to be redone.

“Previously, the area immediately surrounding the old flagpole consisted of uneven rocks, which made it difficult for anyone with mobility challenges to participate in these ceremonies,” Chaplain Widmer said.

VA Portland’s Facilities Management Services Supervisor Roy Long searched for a replacement flagpole and sourced a viable candidate online.

“We have a lot of very patriotic veterans who have expressed interest in this upgrade,” Long said.

The main factor for replacing the flagpole was safety, Long added. The larger flagpole in front of building 11 has a halyard cover so people cannot access the rope. The new flagpole at the CLC also has an internal halyard, which adheres to safety protocols.

VA Portland Health Care System Maintenance Mechanic, Dave Olsen and FMS Work Lead Adam Coleman led the installation of the new pole as weather and project scheduled allowed. Maintenance Mechanic Kevin Popovich and Plumber Jacob Saulsbury assisted on the installation, which was completed on August 13.

If you would like to learn more about the VA Portland Health Care System’s Chaplain Service, visit: https://www.va.gov/portland-health-care/chaplain-services.