South Dakota Tower Will Double As Flagpole

A new Verizon tower in the center of Hot Springs, South Dakota will also be home to a very large American flag. According to Battle Mountain American Legion Post 71 adjutant Don Ackerman, the cell tower constructed directly behind the Legion will fly as large a flag as it can. Verizon approached the Legion with the thoughts of adding a very tall cell tower on property it would lease near the viaduct. Ackerman declined to discuss terms of the lease but said the payment will help the American Legion with some of its programs. “I wasn’t enthused about giving up the parking area,” he noted last week, “but they mentioned it could also serve as a 150-foot flag pole, which got our attention.” He said that Verizon has agreed to foot the bill to light the flag around the clock as well. “The American Legion, with participation by the Hot Springs Elks Lodge, will handle the replacement of the flag when it becomes worn,” Ackerman said. “There is no flag like this in the area. I expect that people will be able to see from most of the city.”