An American flag that once flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., has found a home at IBEW Local 48’s union hall in Northeast Portland.
The flag was dedicated Sept. 23 in a ceremony that included an American Legion rifle volley and color guard. Crystal Lariza sang the national anthem as the flag was raised.
Ed Barnes, a retired Local 48 business manager, donated the flag to his union. It was a birthday gift to him from U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell. The flag flew over the nation’s Capitol on Aug. 19 — Barnes’ birthday.
Current Local 48 Business Manager Gary Young said the flag “is in honor to our members who have passed away on the job.”
Soon, the union will sell bricks that members can engrave with messages. The bricks will be laid in the plot of land underneath the flagpoles. Money raised will go to Local 48’s Sick Fund.
The American flag is displayed on a 30-foot flagpole. Flags of Oregon and Washington are hung on adjacent 25-foot poles. Three floodlights were installed on the roof of the union hall so that the flags are illuminated at night.
