An Upper Merion Township man was the first to suggest that American flags be placed in all the Public Schools of the Commonwealth.
He was Richard Thomas Stewart Hallowell, of Swedesburg, who was State President of the Patriotic Order Sons of America in 1887-1888.
In 1922 a magnificent monument, a tribute to the late Mr. Hallowell, was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies in Christ Swedes Church cemetery.
Richard Thomas Stewart Hallowell was born on Sept. 5, 1849 at Swedesburg. He was a member of Christ Swedes Church and served as vestryman and treasurer. He died on Aug. 14, 1908.
Hallowell was a well-known contractor and builder and erected many homes in Conshohocken, Norristown and Upper Merion.
He was National Master of Forms and Ceremonies of the P.O.S. of A. from 1879 to 1881. He was one of the original State Camp Truestee Committee to act with the Valley Forge Association to preserve Washington’s Headquarters at Valley Forge.
Hallowell was a director of the Valley Forge Centennial and Memorial Association, Patriotic Order Sons of America. he was a member of Washington Camp No. 121 of Conshohcoken and while State President instituted 112 camps from Aug. 1887 to Aug. 1888.
His suggestion to place the flag of the United States in all Public Schools of Pennsylvania was overwhelmingly adopted.
==FREE FLAG DAY EVENT==
The Bridgeport Elks Lodge No.714 Annual Flag Day Ceremony takes place this Sunday afternoon, June 10th @ Old Swedes Christ Church – 740 River Road, PA 23 – Bridgeport, PA. Beginning at 1:00pm the Elks officers present an impressive historical recount of our Nations flag. The ceremony itself takes about an hour and is a very moving tribute to the Stars and Stripes. This is a FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC event!
https://www.facebook.com/events/222587238342034/
