Memory of slain police chief sparks project to line Arnold, New Kensington road with flags

When Raymond Laughlin watched the funeral procession for Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire make its way along Freeport Road in New Kensington more than a year ago, it occurred to him that lining the road with American flags would have been a fitting tribute to McIntire.

Thus was born the “Flags Over Three Cities” project.

“I thought it was just the right thing to do,” said Laughlin.

Beginning this Memorial Day weekend, Freeport Road through Arnold and New Kensington will be lined with flags, an extension of the flags that adorn Leechburg Road through Lower Burrell on many holidays.

While he downplays his role, Laughlin, 80, a New Kensington native who now lives in Murrysville and served in the Air Force as a cook, is credited as the project’s driving force.

“This program would not have started like this if not for Ray,” said Henry Kedzierski, president of the Lower Burrell Lions Club, which has been setting the flags in Lower Burrell since 1972.

“He’s the guy that’s gotten this off the ground.”

Laughlin said the funeral services for Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire, who was killed in the line of duty Jan. 2, 2023, was one of the reasons he prompted the project.

McIntire’s funeral was at Mount St. Peter Church on Freeport Road.

For Memorial Day, flags are scheduled to be put up Friday evening and remain up through Memorial Day on Monday. They will be taken down on Tuesday.

In addition to Memorial Day, holidays flags will be put up for Martin Luther King Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Election Day and Veterans Day.

The Lions Club also has placed its flags for 9/11, also known as Patriot Day. Laughlin said he will try to have them all up for that day, too, provided he can find volunteers to help.

“We’re going one step at a time,” he said.

Sponsors helped to cover the cost of 250 flags Laughlin said he bought from Valley Forge Flag. Although the cost was almost double that of flags made in China — that many flags, with poles, cost around $7,500, Laughlin wanted flags that were made in the USA.

Valley Forge is based in Wyomissing, Pa., and has factories in Pennsylvania, Alabama and South Carolina.

For this year’s Memorial Day, the Lions Club’s own flags will be used in Lower Burrell. Going forward, the new flags will be used for the entire 5-mile route for a uniform look.

Flags will need to be replaced every four to five years. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 92 in Lower Burrell, where Laughlin is a member, and the Lions Club are seeking donations to sponsor them at a cost of $25 per flag, $45 for two or $20 each for three or more.

Volunteers also are needed to help put up the flags and take them down. Members of the American Legion in Lower Burrell will be helping, Kedzierski said.

New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo called it “a wonderful project.”

“It really demonstrates the pride and respect for our communities and our country by commemorating those who gave their lives for our country, saluting our veterans, recognizing those currently serving and, in general, a salute to this great country and everything it stands for,” he said. “With the great visibility of these flags, it may give people a moment to pause and recognize and reflect on the significance, meaning and importance of these days.”

While Laughlin said officials cautioned him that some residents might object to having flags placed in front of their homes or properties, he said not one opposed it.

“This is a tremendous project,” Kedzierski said. “This is what brings people together.”