Pennsylvania post rededicates Civil War battle flag

American Legion Post 516 in Hollidaysburg, Pa., was instrumental in helping to raise $8,000 to restore a Civil War battle flag belonging to Company M, 62nd Infantry Regiment out of Pittsburgh. The town of Hollidaysburg was presented the flag in 1909, by Private Michael Halloran on behalf of the six remaining members of Company M.

Post 516 recently hosted a ceremony at the Wheatfield battlefield where Company M fought during the Battle of Gettysburg 154 years ago in July 1863. They rededicated the battle flag and paid tribute to the men who served in Company M and made the ultimate sacrifice.

More than 250 people attended the ceremony on July 2, which opened with the singing of the national anthem, an invocation, reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, posting of colors by the 62nd Infantry Regiment color guard re-enactment group, remarks by Post 516 Commander Sam Dunkle, and the unveiling of the flag by two great-great grandsons of Halloran, Timothy Breslin and Michael Halloran.

The color guard marched out of the Wheatfield and when they did, Dunkle said it was as if they “were ghosts from the past returning to honor the flag and those who served under her.”

Ceremony attendees also learned the history of Company M and the soldiers who comprised the all-volunteer unit; listened to the story of how Hollidaysburg women presented the Civil War flag to the troops at a ball prior to the war; and heard from guest speakers such as Congressman and Pennsylvania Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Scotty Perry.

The flag was returned by a military convoy to Hollidaysburg and now resides at the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library.

The flag rededication ceremony was “an example of how The American Legion is serving and honoring veterans and working with the community to keep our American military history in the hearts and minds of our citizens today and generations to come,” Dunkle said. “American Legion Post 516 is very proud of our role in the restoration of the battle flag and the rededication ceremony.”