08/29/2026
FRANKLIN SOUSLEY MEMORIAL PARK FLAG POLE PROJECT COMPLETED.
At the request of Flemingsburg Mayor Van Alexander, the Cadre and Cadets have donated seven flag poles and eight flags for the new Franklin Sousley Memorial Park. With the assistance of the City, this three month project was just completed. The park is located in downtown Flemingsburg across from the Fleming County Covered Bridge Museum and is adjacent to the Iwo Jima Mural which was donated by Adam Hinton and his family.
The branch flags for the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard now join the American and MIA/KIA flags.
Franklin Sousley was one of six United States Marines who raised the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in the final stages of the Pacific War. A photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press on February 23, 1945, was published in Sunday newspapers two days later and reprinted in thousands of publications. It won the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Photography and has come to be regarded in the United States as one of the most recognizable and iconic images of World War II. Franklin was later killed by a Japanese sniper on March 21, 1945. His body was ultimately returned back to Fleming County and he is buried in the Elizaville Cemetery.
Camp Sousley is a military exploration program for young people 12 to 18 years old. Each year they have hundreds of young people from all over the world participate. As part of their Core Values, Camp Sousley sponsors at least one project a year dedicated to honoring PFC. Franklin Sousley's service and sacrifice to his Country. In the past, they have purchased a new headstone for Franklin's mother, Goldie, recognizing her as a Gold Star Mother; purchased a six foot bronze statue of Franklin which is located at the Fleming County Justice Center and just completed a one and a half year project to reconstruct Franklin's birthplace in Hilltop and the new Franklin Sousley Welcome Sign located on the Bypass.
