From left, Ben Cabiya and Kyle Martin, members of Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, hold the Honor and Sacrifice flag. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A request to fly a new flag honoring men and women who have given their lives for public safety was approved at the City of Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Friday, Aug. 20.

Warsaw-Wayne Fire Chief Michael Wilson said he and Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker were approached by the commander of the American Legion Post 49 in reference to flying the Honor and Sacrifice flag during the month of September.

The Honor and Sacrifice Flag was created on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to honor those in all divisions of public safety and emergency response who have lost their lives in an effort to save others.

The symbolism of the Honor and Sacrifice flag is below:

Band of Blue represents the law enforcement community
Band of Purple represents mourning for a member of the firefighter community
Band of White represents the purity of heart within all first responders who serve and protect and are willing to face challenges regardless of risk.
Black Star represents sheriff and marshal services
Red Maltese Cross represents the emergency response community
Gold Shield represents all law enforcement and public safety officials who wear the shield and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Folded Flag represents the final tribute made in honor of those who have given their lives to save and protect others
Flame an eternal reminder to never forget the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, a reminder of the spirit that has departed yet burns on in the memory of all who knew and loved the fallen hero

Wilson asked permission to fly this flag in place of the Indiana State flag.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said that in respect to the 20th anniversary of 9/11 occurring next month, “it certainly makes sense.” However, Thallemer questioned whether the new flag could be flown in addition to both the American flag and the state flag rather than in place of the Indiana flag. 

Each fire station in Warsaw only has a single flag pole. 

Wilson said he looked at the flagpole at station 2 and determined that if more connectors were added in order to fly an additional flag, the flags “would be pretty low on the pole because of the height of the pole.”

According to Wilson, the idea of adding additional flag poles has been considered since there is also a law enforcement flag, a firefighters flag and an emergency services flag. In addition, the department occasionally receives special requests such as this one. 

All current flag poles at the fire stations are set in concrete, Wilson said, so adding an additional, shorter pole could not be done right away. 

Thallemer suggested following protocol. Wilson said according to protocol, flying a state flag is optional and that the state flag or any other flags must be flown at a lower level than the American flag. 

The recommendation from the American Legion, Wilson said, would be to fly the Honor and Sacrifice flag in lieu of the state flag for the month of September.

This recommendation was unanimously approved by the Board. 

In another matter, two companies submitted bids for the Kelly Park Pond improvement project. Kelly Park is located at 130 Fawley Street in Warsaw. Those bids were opened at today’s meeting. 

The first bid, from G&G Hauling and Excavating, Inc., Warsaw, was for $589,143.67. The second bid came from HRP Construction Inc., South Bend, in the amount of $790,049.63. 

The bids will be taken under advisement and a bid will be awarded at the Sept. 3 meeting. 

On another subject, the Board approved three road closure requests.

The first request was submitted by Boy Scouts of America for the Lincolnway Cubmobile event Sept. 18. The event will be held between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. The road closure request is for the hours of 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. in order to allow for set-up and tear-down/clean-up of equipment. 

The second request came from Patrick Loebs and involves a neighborhood block party Oct. 9. East Clark Street, between North Lincoln Street and North Lindberg Drive, will be closed between the hours of 4-11 p.m. on that date. The event is not open to the public. 

Park Ridge Community Association submitted a request for a “Gathering of the Neighbors” event between 2:30-9 p.m. Sept. 25. The southernmost part of Laurelwood Drive, which intersects with Highlander Drive, will be closed during that time. The event is not open to the public. 

On another subject, tickets for one of the Warsaw Parks Department’s most popular events will go on sale next month.

The Daddy’s Little Sweetheart Dance is being held Oct. 1 & 2. Tickets for the 2021 event will go on sale Sept. 7, according to Stephanie Schaefer, recreation director at the Warsaw Parks Department. The ticket sales will run through Sept. 21 or until sold out.

In connection with that event, a $250 contract with Derek Tenney was approved. Tenney will provide DJ services at the Daddy’s Little Sweetheart Dance.

The 2022 dance will be held Feb. 4 & 5. 

In other news:

• Warsaw Street Department Superintendent Dustin Dillon received permission to apply for the 2022 IPEP Safety Grant. The grant is for up to 80 percent of the cost of safety equipment. If received, grant funds will be utilized for the purchase of safety equipment for street department employees.
• The Board approved a $50,000 invoice from Kosciusko Economic Development to be used for the housing pre-development revolving loan fund.
• A contract in the amount of $11,529 with CivicPlus was approved for website redesign.
• The next regular meeting will be 10:30 a.m. Sept. 3.

Warsaw-Wayne Fire Station 1. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels