New Flag Unfurled in Springview Heights Community
Purple Heart Chapter President Ferris Johnson raises the flag as City Mgr Gary Fesperman looks on
The first American flag ever to fly on the site of the historic Spring St. Elementary School is now unfurled.
At a special ceremony Thursday morning, members of the Springview Heights Community in Lavonia gathered to raise the flag on the new community flag pole.
The flagpole was recently installed by the City and is near a new granite memorial bench that marks the site of the historic black school.
Organizer Barbara Clark said the raising of the flag by Ferris Johnson, Chapter President for Northeast Georgia for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, was a special moment.
“This is the first time in this school’s history that we have had an American flag flying,” she told the crowd. “I remember as a little girl going to school here and us not having a flag.”
Lavonia Mayor Ralph Owens told the group in attendance the City has not forgotten about the historic Springview Heights Community.
“I want you to know that the City of Lavonia is here for the Springview Heights Community,” he said. “Don’t feel like you are out here by yourself. If there is anything you need, all you need to do is call the City and we will do everything we can to help.”
Another ceremony is planned in the near future to formally dedicate the granite bench in memory of the City’s first black elementary school.