New Old Glory Flies In Dayton High School

DAYTON - A 12- by 15-foot American flag will descend from the ceiling by a motor in the Dayton High School gym while the gym full of students, faculty, alumni and veterans recite the pledge of allegiance, led by the preschoolers from Susan's Home Child Care run by Susan Schlenz.

The massive gym flag was purchased by the Day- ton Alumni Association and will be presented at a dedication ceremony at about 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 between the boys and girls basketball games in the Dayton High School gym.

Alumni Association Vice President Merle Jack- son said after installation, the flag cost the Alumni Association about $7,500.

Veterans from American Legion Post 42 will attend the ceremony and salute the flag during the pledge and the national anthem, which will be sung by the preschoolers.

The dedication ceremony will also include the presentation of the Alumni of the Year.

"At the very end (of the ceremony) we're going to present the flag from the alumni and the school," Jackson said.

Jackson will be the announcer for the brief cer- emony where the flag will be rolled down by remote and dedicated.

The ceremony will con- clude with the band playing the fight song.

Alumni Association Treasurer Zella Powers, who helped organize the dedication ceremony, said she is looking forward to the dedication.

"It just seems like it's really falling into line," Powers said. "It's just such an awesome presentation, it'll be great."

Dayton School District Superintendent Doug Johnson said the district is " grateful for the ongoing support of the Dayton Alumni Association."