The stars and stripes are going up over Olympic Peninsula Academy. The community is invited to a flagpole dedication ceremony at the Sequim school, 400 N. Second Ave, at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18.

Hosted by the Michael Trebert Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the event marks the first public school flagpole installation on the Olympic Peninsula in more than 25 years, chapter representatives said.

The event includes the unveiling of a flagpole plaque and the burying of a school and sponsor time capsule. Refreshments will follow in the school gymnasium.

Mick Hersey, a member of the John Paul Jones’ Washington Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, will be helping with the installation day to make sure the flagpole is installed properly, chapter representatives said.

Crew members from Jamestown Excavating are helping with the heavy work of digging and placing the flagpole. “This has truly been a community project,” said Ginny Wagner, a chapter member and chair of the flagpole project.

Community Classroom Committee members with the Michael Trebert Chapter have been in the classrooms teaching lessons about the United States flag. They are hosting an essay contest with Olympic Peninsula Academy students on the theme, “What Does the American Flag Mean to Me?” The winning essay will be read during the ceremony.

The Michael Trebert Chapter and four Clallam County veteran organizations raised the needed funds for the school flagpole.

Overall, local veterans organizations contributing to this effort include: American Legion Post 29-Legion Riders; American Legion Post 62-Jack Grennan; Fleet Reserve Association, Dungeness Branch 174; VFW-Carlsborg, Post 6787, and VFW-Sequim, Post 4760-Henry Echternkamp.