Immaculate Conception Church in Morris dedicates restored flagpole, plaque

People gathered around the flagpole in the prayer garden at Immaculate Conception School in Morris Monday morning to celebrate the rededication of the flag pole, complete with a plaque honoring World War I veterans.

Rick Martino, who uncovered the story behind the flagpole and the men honored on it, said more than 200 people attended the ceremony while the Morris Color Guard raised the flag. The students sang “God Bless America.”

Martino’s work was featured in the Thank You, Veterans issue of the Morris Herald-News, where he discussed the process for both restoring the plaque and uncovering the stories behind WWI veterans Frank Morrisey, Gerald Gross, William Graves and Leo Ostrowski.