Almost a year and $6,000 later, a lone 30-foot flagpole was erected next to the cenotaph in the Fort Langley historic graveyard on Oct. 21.

"How can you have a veterans' section in the cemetery without a flagpole?" questioned former Township mayor and cemetery neighbour Kurt Alberts.

While he helped bring the idea to life, he credits his wife for conceiving of plan last fall, after the Remembrance Day ceremonies that attracted about 3,000 people (this service was started in 1999 with just two in attendance, Brenda Alberts and Gordy Gallard).

"In a weak moment, I offered to take care of it," Kurt said of the pole project, recalling that he erected a flagpole in front of their Birthplace of B.C. Gallery, across the street, 15 years earlier for a mere $700.

Well, it turned out this project cost "just a little bit more," Kurt said, noting a $6,000 bill accompanied this endeavour.

Through the Township's park director David Leavers, the Alberts learned of a neighbourhood improvement grant that would cover half the cost of such a project.

Then, before realizing the final tally, Kurt turned to the Fort Langley Lions and asked for help in fundraising to make the pole a reality.

"After all, how much can half a flagpole possibly cost?" he mistakenly queried.

It was quite a surprise, the Alberts admitted, when the quote came in.

And that's when the fundraising efforts kicked into overdrive - and that's where Brenda moved back into the foreground.

She single-handedly sold out a $50 per ticket garden party, called Rally 'Round The Flag Pole, that was held Sept. 25 at their gallery.

Thanks to ticket sales and sponsorship, the event generated all the money and more needed for the cause, Kurt explained.

The Lions have committed the extra $600 raised over and above the needed flagpole money to offset fuel costs for the Fraser Blues flypast at the Nov. 11 Remembrance Day services.

The procession starts at the Fort Langley Community Hall at 10 a.m., followed by the service at the cenotaph at 10: 40 a.m. (sharp), and the fly by at 11 a.m.

rhooper@langleyadvance.com