Flagpole at Fort Phoenix replaced with severe weather pole

By Beth David, Editor

The Fairhaven Historical Commis­sion held a ceremony to celebrate the installation of a flagpole at Fort Phoenix, near the cannons, to replace one that had been broken for several months. 

The new severe weather pole is rated to withstand winds of up to 180 MPH. The Apollo Series Severe Weather pole, made in New Hampshire, had the best performance record for the conditions en­countered at Fort Phoenix, said FHC chairperson, Mike Kelly. 

A small  group of supporters showed up in very windy and cool conditions on Saturday morning, 5/31/25 to com­memorate the event.

Mr. Kelly gave a summary of the demise of the old pole, saying that about six months ago the halyard snapped. That pole had been donated by Gail Isaksen many years ago. They could have replaced the halyard, but it was “costly” he said. 

“The fact was that the pre­vious pole had reached the end of its service, and the decision was made to replace it,” said Mr. Kelly.

The challenge for the commission, of course, was that they did not have the $3,000+ for a severe weather pole. He said they went home from their meeting with several ideas but no firm decision. Not an hour later, he said, Rick Martin, a commission member, emailed him.

The email said he would not wait to see what “pans out.” 

“I have spent my entire adult life serving our country and flag and persons that gave their life for it. I will happily contribute the full amount to get our flag proudly flying again!” Mr. Martin said in the email.

“And with that, our project was fully funded through this incredible donation, which brings us to where we are today,” said Mr. Kelly.

It was only fitting, he said, that Rick and his wife, Monica, raise the flag on the new flagpole.

The generosity of FHC members did not end there, he added. Additional contributions were made at the same time to supply special, severe weather flags, as well as toward Phase 2 of the project, which is installing new lighting at the base of the pole to “ensure Old Glory is properly illuminated throughout the night.”

Donations came from Nate Bekemeier & Penny Brewer, Alyssa Botelho, Michael & Michelle Kelly 

“I think most of us would agree, for one reason or another, that these are difficult times for our great country,” said Mr. Kelly. “I hope this moment of raising the flag over Fort Phoenix, which so famously rose from its own ashes to continue the fight for liberty, will remind us all that civic engage­ment, personal commitment, and collaboration among neighbors are essential components to holding our great nation together.”

Fort Phoenix is the site of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War in May of 1775. After that, Fort Nobscot was built there. In 1778 it was destroyed by the British. It was rebuilt after that and named Fort Phoenix after the mythical bird that rose from its own ashes.

The pole was purchased from and installed by Bete-Fleming of Matta­poisett, said Mr. Kelly in a follow-up email.

“We also appreciated that it was both locally made (New England) and installed by a local company (Mattapoisett),” he said.

After the ceremony, Mr. Martin said he did not want to “dilly dally around” for months while the commission tried to fund-raise or otherwise find the money for the pole.

He said his ancestores fought in the American Revolution and felt he had an obligation to them and to his new home of Fairhaven. He has lived here for about two years. 

The even will be available on FairhavenTV.com under Community Media

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