Marlington dedicates motorized gym flag honoring military service

At intermission between the junior varsity and varsity boys basketball games between Marlington and Minerva on Dec. 19 at Marlington High School, a 12-foot-by-18-foot motorized Marlington Cross Country gymnasium rolling flag was displayed and dedicated.

The project was a joint effort of the Marlington Local School District, the Marlington Board of Education, Marlington High School, the Marlington Athletic Department and the Marlington Athletic Booster Club.

The flag was dedicated in memory of 1st Lt. Ashley White and in honor of alumni and community members who have served, and those who are currently serving, in the nation’s military. White was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan in 2011. While a student at Marlington, she participated in cross country and track and graduated from Marlington High School in 2005.

At the top of the flag, the words “Land of the Brave Because of the Brave” are bracketed by orange capital Ms signifying Marlington on each side. The flag is designed to be displayed only when the nation is being honored, with the motorized system allowing for easy storage and controlled display.

Prior to the short dedication ceremony, announcements were made by Justin Miller, and the national anthem was sung by the Marlington High School Choir Duke Street, led by vocal coach Nick Modney.

The idea for the project came from Viki Brock, a retired Army veteran of 27 years. Brock and Melissa Graham-Perkins, Marlington’s cross country and track coach, led fundraising efforts to complete the project.

“As a 27-year retired Army veteran myself, I take pride in having this flag displayed in a school district that knows and has experienced the ultimate sacrifice,” Brock said. “Thank you for helping me make this happen.”

In further remarks, Miller thanked numerous organizations and individuals for their donations, including Rolling Thunder – Ohio Chapter 2, Operation Flags of Freedom, the Marlboro Women’s Club, Marlboro Volunteers, Legacy Transfer, the Marlington cross country and track program, and individual contributors. He also thanked all those who purchased raffle tickets as part of the fundraiser.

“This could not have been a great success if it hadn’t been for the Marlington and Waterloo communities coming together,” Brock said.

Brock invited members of Rolling Thunder, Ohio Chapter 2 of Lakemore, to participate in the dedication, and several members attended. Rolling Thunder is a nonprofit organization with more than 90 chartered chapters across the United States and members abroad. While many members are veterans and motorcycle riders, neither is required. The organization’s mission is to seek full accountability for prisoners of war and those missing in action from all wars, guided by its watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”