OXFORD – In a special ceremony last month at the Oxford Historical Society (OHS) meeting, Jeanette Biermann and Linda Fowlston presented the OHS with a special American flag, in a wood and glass display case, and a flag photo plaque as a donation to the OHS Museum. This flag has traveled far and will hold a lot of meaning for many residents for several reasons.
The American flag was provided by Jeanette’s nephew, Lt. Col. Matthew Redding, Commander of the 626th Brigade Support Battalion, 101st Airborne. Redding, originally from Oxford, provided the flag which was flown in combat over Camp Stryker near Baghdad. The flag was most recently flown in LaFayette Park, Oxford Village. It was raised on the pole by the Oxford American Legion Color Guard during the Bicentennial parade, July 26th, as an expression of appreciation for the Oxford Troop Support Program.
On Oct. 7, the encased flag was handed to OHS president Fred Lanfear who read aloud the message on the engraved metal plate, “Thank you for supporting our mission to restore peace and security in Baghdad.” Linda also handed Fred a mounted photo plaque, showing the flag flying over Camp Stryker, with provenance on the flag. It was a great honor bestowed on the Oxford Historical Society to keep these items for all to see.
The Oxford Historical Society Depot-Museum will be closed for the winter; however, they will have their holiday meeting at the Oxford Academy Middle School auditorium, at 12 Fort Hill Park, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. Keeping in the festive nostalgia spirit, the Tuesday night meeting will be an old fashioned Community Sing-A-Long. To add to the experience, the Society will project historic images and song lyrics on the large screen. To help everyone satisfy their holiday wish list needs, there will be a silent auction of woolen items in addition to some great Historical Society merchandise for purchase. For more info call:843-9446; email: Museum@OxfordNY.com.