In the 30 years since the Knowlton Library opened at 220 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, in 1993, the facility has never had its own flag pole to proudly display the American flag and state flag.
A local Eagle Scout sought this spring to rectify this situation through his Eagle Scout project and also to pay special tribute to the Logan County veterans who have served our country.
After several months of working alongside the Harold Kerr American Legion Post 173 and the VFW Post 1080, both of Bellefontaine, and obtaining their generous support, Aaron Arlequeeuw unveiled his Eagle Scout project Saturday, June 10, hosting a special flag raising ceremony at the site facing north Main Street at the front entrance of the library.
The Logan County Honor Guard was in attendance to help dedicate the location. Passing motorists along the heavily-traveled route waved and were excited to take in the ceremony, also hosted in recognition of Flag Day.
“Aaron saw a need in the community and he rose to meet it,” explained his Eagle Scout coach Cole Cronkleton of West Mansfield, who joined Aaron in raising the flag.
“I’m grateful and honored to be here today and to have the opportunity to make an impact on our community,” said Aaron, who is also a 2023 Ohio Hi-Point Career Center and Benjamin Logan High School graduate. He plans to attend the Ohio Technical College in Cleveland this fall to study high performance and racing technology.
Aaron related that the veteran tribute is personal for him, as his paternal grandfather, William Arlequeeuw served in the U.S. Air Force in radio intelligence, including during the Vietnam War.
The Eagle Scout also received an inside “scoop” about this need through his connection to the library, as his mother, Beverly, serves as the executive director.
“It was a little emotional today, watching the flags go up and getting to be a part of this tribute that was led by our son,” Beverly said. “It all turned out beautifully and we’re so thankful for the support from his Boy Scout Troop 433 of West Liberty, his Eagle Scout coach Cole and express our deep appreciation to the VFW and American Legion.”
To get the initiative moving forward, Aaron said he attended the recent meetings of the VFW Post 1080 and the American Legion Post 173, along with their auxiliary organizations, to provide a presentation on the proposed project. The two veteran service organizations gifted him with all of the funding for purchasing the flagpole and building supplies.
June 3, installation of the flagpole began with Aaron and his fellow Troop 433 members digging the hole, pouring cement and setting the first portion of the pole. The Boy Scouts also helped with the landscaping and mulching at the site.
Then Saturday, the Boy Scouts installed the final portion of the flagpole, ready in time for the afternoon ceremony to raise the U.S. flag and Ohio flag and dedicate the plaque for local veterans.
“It was a lot of fun being part of an Eagle Scout project for the first time,” said fellow troop member Kody Dalton, 12, who is a son of Scout Master Mike Dalton. Troop 433 just began in August, and Aaron is its first member to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.
While the Boy Scouts have been working away outdoors, restoration work continues and much progress has been made inside the library as well, following the catastrophic damage sustained to the entire building Dec. 25 after a frozen pipe burst in the fire suppression system.
The building has been closed since that time, and hours have been extended at all Logan County Libraries’ branch locations.
The patron areas of the Knowlton Library are coming along, with new carpeting installed and shelving has been put back together. Approximately 4,000 boxes of largely unsorted books have been brought back into the facility from the climate-controlled warehouse and are now being organized and shelved. Restroom construction also has begun in earnest.
The library posts regular updates about the restoration project at its website, www.logancountylibraries.org, and on the Logan County Libraries’ Facebook page.