Veteran wants to restore flagpole memorial in Lodi
Last year, artist John Callahan fixed the broken crane head on the fountain at Legion Park. Now, he is on a mission to restore an American Legion flagpole he found with a tree growing around it in the park.
“The flag pole was placed more than 40 years ago, but obviously the trees around have grown to kind of take over that spot,” said Jeff Hood, Lodi’s parks, recreation and cultural services director.
Callahan said he was working on the statue when he made the discovery. After reading the placard for the flagpole, Callahan learned that the flagpole was installed in 1976 in memory of all the deceased members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 22.
As a fellow veteran, Callahan immediately took interest and set out to do research on the flagpole. However, he hit a roadblock when he got to the library and found out the microfilm reader was broken.
“I’ve been trying to find the article in the Lodi News-Sentinel about the dedication and going through the archives and I’ve been unsuccessful,” Callahan said. He tried to find the information he needed online, but had no luck.
According to Hood, who is also the interim library director, he’s unsure exactly what’s wrong with the microreader. He thinks it may just be worn out and replacement parts aren’t avail- able because it’s so old.
However, the library is looking to digitize the microfilm so it can be viewed on a computer, and it’s an issue the next director will likely be exploring. The library has looked at getting a used microreader in the interim, but with the city’s financial situation the funding isn’t there, Hood said.
Even though his research has been unsuccessful Callahan is still determined to restore the flagpole. He has already reached out to Hood, as well as city employees Charles Berry and Steve Virrey.
“I’ve met with him, and I’ve encouraged him to move forward. If he can raise funding for that, I think it would be great for the park,” Hood said.