By Josie Roberts
Cavalier Daily Life Editor
On yesterday's damp morning, stars and stripes flew over a new part of Charlottesville, cementing one man's resolve to hang the U.S. flag over Martha Jefferson Hospital.
Former marine Wally Lawrence donated money for the new flag poles, which stand in the center island of the main entrance's circular driveway.
"This is a prime location at the hospital," said Lawrence, who had an American flag handkerchief tucked into the breast pocket of his coat. "Being an ex-marine officer and having served in Korea, I've always been partial to the flag. So when I see a space for it, I usually make an offer, an offer they can't refuse."
Ray Mishler, Martha Jefferson Hospital's vice president, said the hospital had been grappling with what to do with the grassy space in front for some time.
"We had ideas about fountains and ideas about statutes and nothing came to pass until we seriously introduced the idea of flying the American flag," Mishler said.
University ROTC students conducted the flag-raising ceremony, sending the American flag, the Virginia flag and the hospital's flag up the poles for the first time.
"There were a lot of veterans at the hospital who really appreciated us being there," said second-year College student Nicholas Borrelli of the Navy ROTC. "The best thing about it today was saluting the flag while the anthem was playing."
Between trumpet calls, a prayer and a patriotic poem reading, Martha Jefferson Hospital President Jim Haden made his own dedication.
"We've had a flag inside the hospital for some time now, but it felt like it was missing when you drove into the hospital," Haden said. "I think it's especially symbolic to people who work here taking care of patients and taking care of the country. It's not only symbolic, but important"
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