Flag pole monument ??

[chj3]

I've been in contact with Steve K and Paul W regarding the possibility of placing a monument/memorial at the location of the "flag pole site" --- the pole that the flag was first raised on in 1945, not the "modern" flag pole.

Something simple that will preserve the location and memory.  Perhaps a stone or concrete cylinder.   Any suggestions?

[okla]

Regarding the 1945 Flag Pole or the "old Spanish Flag Pole" as it has been called. Does it still exist or, perhaps, preserved on site or in a museum, etc. Fots, where are you when needed? I know, still hangin' out in the Bahamas. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. lol.

[rik]

Steve showed me that spot when I was there a year and a half ago. If I remember correctly, it's hidden in the trees, isn't it? Is there discussion about clearing some kind of path to it, or just putting something up in the woods where most people will miss it?

[fots2]

Hi okla,

What they are talking about is a wooden pole just past the western end of the Topside Parade Ground. The metal Spanish flag pole still remains south-east of the Parade Ground.

This wooden pole was used in February of 1945 as a temporary flag pole. Note the old photo which will be familiar to you showing the two soldiers climbing it. In July 2010, Karl and I found what remains of this wooden pole; not much of it is still there.

A marker of some sort had been discussed in the past but the idea never went anywhere. chj3 has brought up the subject again. Good luck with your endeavors gents.






Z1fots072. Map of the area under discussion, photo from John Moffitt.

This is a Corregidor map marked up by fots2 as to where the flag poles are on Corregidor.

2017-10-31. Note from Karl:
This picture was blocked by Photobucket because they changed their terms. It is now reposted, as of this date, from another server!




Z1fots073. February 1945 photo, photo from John Moffitt’s forum entries.

The dramatic image of the WWII image of Paratroopers raising the first US flag on Corregidor on the 16th Feb. 1945. T/5 Frank Guy Arrigo accompanied by Pfc Clyde I. Bates raised the flag. Photo – courtesy of Corregidor.org

2017-10-31. Note from Karl:
This picture was blocked by Photobucket because they changed their terms. It is now reposted, as of this date, from another server!





Z1fots074. First 1945 Flag pole on Corregidor. Photo-courtesy of John Moffitt aka fots2.

First 1945 Flag pole on Corregidor, What remains of the wooden flagpole as we found it in 2010.

2017-10-31. Note from Karl:
This picture was blocked by Photobucket because they changed their terms. It is now reposted, as of this date, from another server!

[chj3]

My main interest in the "flag pole site" is maintaining the ability to locate it over the long-term.  A trail would be nice, but I'm not sure about long-term maintenance.   

Perhaps a simple monument, something that would survive the jungle conditions, but not attract the scavengers.  The examples I can think of are a grave marker or a surveying monument. 

Any suggestions? 

[okla]

Hey Fots....Thanks for clearing the cobwebs from my 82 year old lump of "gray matter". If there is anything that can be depended upon it's "Death, Taxes" and your vast store of Corregidor info and "lore". You still be the man. Cheers.

[fots2]

For some strange reason, the 2010 photo of the wooden pole in my above post was not viewable. It works now.

chj3, your examples are very good. My only suggestions would be: (1) keep it simple for the reason you mentioned and (2) no metal which tends to disappear on the island.

[rik]

I have a couple photos of it as well but we can't upload pics on here, right?



QUICK ANSWER: RIK is correct. The free hosting of images was long since filled up (there's actually a thread on the subject) and thus members have to rely on flickr and the other various free-hosting traps. - exo -

[Registrar]

Steve and Marcia Kwiecinski are happy to report that the monument to the erection of the Corregidor Flag on the afternoon of 16 February 1945 by Bates and Arrigo is partially completed. These images are as of 21 April.

The monument is awaiting wording.

CFI have cleared a trail, which will be fine until the rains come, I'd expect.

A new pole hasbeen erected in the original hole. It has been transplanted from elsewhere on the island (from near the old power plant) and has been treated for insects so it should last a long time. Our information is that Col. Matibag is going to add a pulley and rope so that the American flag and possibly a 503d pennant might be hoisted between Feb 16 and March 2 each year. Good on CFI if they do. This project is much to CFI's credit, and of course, to Clark and Karen Judy, who sponsored the project in memory of Lt. Clark H. Judy. of the Regimental HQ and HQ Co., who was killed at Monkey Point after ten days on Corregidor.

Also involved in the project are Steve & Marcia Kwiecinski (pictured), and Leslie Murray.

If I was younger, I'd have asked for lineman's footpegs, which is what Bates and Arrigo used. They also had the honor of getting shot at for their efforts.

Unlike normal flag custom, the 1945 flag was left on the pole continuously, and was not lowered at dusk. It remained their until the morning of the formal flag raising, when it was quietly removed. The original flag was astride one of the major trails used by the 503d, and patrols would pass by it in the mornings, and would return by it in the late afternoons, carrying their wounded and their dead.

The original flag was preserved and is at the Ft. Benning museum.

[Karl Welteke]

THE FIRST FLAG POLE 1945 MONUMENT/MARKER BUILT IN PLACE BY CFI AND STAFF

On the 13th April 2015 I took the time to look at the progress of Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) building the First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker; the day before I had noticed a jeep at the site and concluded the Monument is being built now.

These are the pictures of the project, the CFI Staff building it. Not many people know that the Death March Markers were built by CFI and are maintained by them when donation money becomes available from FAME and when they receive some. The marker at this site is a Death March Marker type and you can see how they were built.

I noticed in the pictures (dated 21 April 2015) from the Kwiecinski Family in the previous segment that a new pole has been set next to this new marker

These pictures are small and larger ones will be available later (a few weeks) in the thread: “Karl’s Corregidor Trips”.



Za603. The west end of the Topside Parade Ground.

Za603. (Ex Photobucket number X609) I walked to where the jeep was parked at the west end of the Topside Parade Ground. This Gentleman was the leader of the detail.


2018-02-20. Note from Karl:
This picture was blocked by Photobucket even though my account is current. It is now reposted as of this date from another server!




Za604. The path and distance to the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker.

Za604. (Ex Photobucket number X610) this is the path and distance to the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker. It is closer than it looks on the picture.


2018-02-20. Note from Karl:
This picture was blocked by Photobucket even though my account is current. It is now reposted as of this date from another server!




X611 at the site of the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker. If you look close you still can see the remains of the original pole next to and left of the new marker.



X612 at the site of the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker, two workers are in the picture and the marker is practical finished.



X613 one of the CFI worker next the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker; the area right of him is relative clear of vegetation.



X614 the worksite next to the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker; if you look close you still can see the remains of the original pole next to the new marker at right.



X615 those boxes must be the forms used to built the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker.



X616 the map to show the location of the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker. On the map I indicated that fots2 and I differ a little about the exact location. My opinion is based mainly that the location was surrounded by a large concrete area, which one even had to step up to from the north side. And nearby is a concrete slid or trench which seems to be part of this concrete complex. On the map is also indicated a new construction near the Lighthouse for a shelter to feed tourists. I will report about it later in my trip report for this date, the 13th April 2015.



X617 this is how the site for the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker looked like on the 24th July 2010 when fots2 and I found the place as we expected to do here at this location after studying all the 1945 pictures available.



X618 this is the concrete slid or trench just a few feet west of the new First Flag Pole 1945 Monument/Marker, that is why I differ a little as to the exact location of the marker on the map.