The Fairfield Local Athletic Department would like to thank the Fairfield High School graduating class of 2016 for their generous donation of a flagpole to the Fairfield baseball/softball complex.

The flagpole was installed this week by the district’s maintenance staff. Today (4/28/17) the U.S. flag was flown over the complex for the first time. The flag at the baseball and softball complex was flown above Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan on 9/2/2016.

The flag was presented to the Fairfield Lady Lions Softball Team by Kenneth S. White, Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, Senior Enlisted Leader, 204th Engineer Detachment (CMT) and Eric M. Holtzapple, Major, EN, U.S. Army Commander, 204th Engineer Detachment (CMT).

The class advisor for the 2016 graduating class, Amy Buddelmyer said, “The students in the 2016 class are the ones that came up with the idea to donate the flagpole. The flagpole was purchased for $1500, using money that the 2016 class raised during their time at the school.”

Buddelmyer indicated that the donation of items to the school is a “goal of hers” for each of the classes that she advises. She believes that it is good for the graduating students to give back to the school in a meaningful and creative way, that can be enjoyed and admired by later generations of students.

Sergeant Major White is the father of sophomore starting pitcher Kaiti White who has led the Lady Lions to a 13-1 record on the season and an unblemished record in the Southern Hills Athletic conference.

Reach Ryan Applegate at 937-402-2572, or Twitter @RCApplegate89.