A banner day for firefighters in Portsmouth

First responders help hoist two flags at housing complex

By Jim McGaw
Posted 11/14/17

PORTSMOUTH — For the past two years, says Vonnie Nordby, the residents of Portsmouth Housing have been looking at an empty flagpole.

“The flag has been missing for two years and …

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A banner day for firefighters in Portsmouth

First responders help hoist two flags at housing complex

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — For the past two years, says Vonnie Nordby, the residents of Portsmouth Housing have been looking at an empty flagpole.

“The flag has been missing for two years and it’s been sitting in a shed,” she said.

That all changed last week, when the Portsmouth Fire Department arrived with a ladder truck to help install not only an American flag, but also a Prisoner of War banner.

Lt. Allen Levesque and firefighter Brendan Phelan of the department installed the flags at the low-income housing complex for elderly and disabled residents, which is located just north of the fire station.

“A lot of us are retired, disabled vets. It was very important to us,” said Ms. Nordby.

Others helped out before the pre-Veterans Day event, during which the National Anthem was sung.

“John Souza donated the POW flag. Ginger Duffy kind of organized the whole thing and her daughter, Nora Harris, asked the fire department to come. The maintenance director, Lyman Potts, got the clamps and the rope,” she said.

Most of her praise, however, was reserved for local firefighters.

“That fire department does so much for the people here. They’re here for emergencies, they’re here if people get locked out. They’re just phenomenal to the old people here.”

She added, “And, they’re all cute.”

Ms. Nordby readily admits she’s partial to firefighters. Her son, Matt Nordby, is a fireman in Minneapolis.

“They’re all cute up there, too.” 

Portsmouth Housing Authority, Portsmouth Fire Department

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