Local Restaurant Owner Raises Flag to Honor Fallen Marine

George Alpogianis made a spur of the moment decision – of the $4,000 kind.

But after a grand ceremony outside his at Harlem and Dempster Saturday, Niles resident Alpogianis, the family of a Marine killed in action in Iraq, and top officials of both Morton Grove and Niles consider it money well spent.

Bringing the mayors and public safety officials of both communities together, the community-minded Alpogianis staged an uncommon dedication by today’s standards – a brand new flagpole – primarily in honor of Sean Maher. The lance corporal died on Feb. 2, 2005. Maher’s grandparents, Cy and Peg Maher, decades-long Niles residents, are close to the Kappy’s general manager and are longtime customers.

“One day it just popped in my head. I put it up for multiple reasons. Sean’s death was No. 1," Alpogianis said of the flagpole dedication. "No. 2, we’re showing unity among our communities. Morton Grove and Niles are so intertwined. There’s nothing better than raising the American flag.”

The flagpole was adorned with the American flag as well as those honoring POWs and active service personnel.

“It was made here in the United States of America, thank God,” Alpogianis said. “It was made outside Milwaukee. I found it online, monkeying around.”

Alpogianis made all of the arrangements for the erecting of the flagpole and the ceremony, involving Boy Scout troops 175, 228 and 821 from Morton Grove and Niles. But he kept the process a secret from the Maher family until the night before the ceremony. They were stunned to receive the honor when notified.

“Amazing,” said Dan Maher, Sean’s father. “It’s an honor and a privilege."

Dan Maher grew up in Niles and attended high school at in the village. He moved to Grayslake nearly 30 years ago. Wife Janet and sister Kathleen Falco, Sean’s godmother, also attended the ceremony.

New flagpoles not common anymore  

Dedicating a new flagpole is so uncommon these days that Ken Trumbull, who is in charge of the rifle squad for in Morton Grove, said it was at least five years since he participated in such a ceremony.

Morton Grove Mayor Dan Staackmann’s memory of the last flagpole dedication goes back much further.

“The last flagpole I can remember was (dedicated) in front of Prairie View Recreation Center in 1976,” he said. “The flagpole in front of the library was there since the 1940s. Years ago it was a common thing, people donating a flagpole in honor of veterans, and I’m glad that tradition is being resurrected. It’s important to recognize people who laid down their lives.”

Niles Mayor Robert M. Callero watched the ceremony next to Staackmann.

“The fact George has dedicated the flagpole is a wonderful thing,” he said. “It’s appropriate it’s right on the border and both (communities) can celebrate.”

Alpogianis will have to follow a certain protocol to display the American flag properly.

“It can be up 24 hours a day, but you need a light on it (at night),” Trumbull said. "If don’t have a light, you should lower it at sunset. A lot of businesses don’t do that.”