The Rotary Club of Oxford marked a significant milestone in its 100-year history by dedicating a flag pole and monument that will stand as a tribute to unity, service, and the community’s enduring values. 

The ceremony, held Monday at Pat Lamar Park, brought together local leaders, community members, and Rotarians to celebrate the meaningful addition to the park.

John Mayo, president of the Rotary Club of Oxford, expressed deep gratitude to those in attendance and spoke about the importance of service, a value at the heart of Rotary’s mission. 

“Service Above Self is our motto, and I can think of no greater service than the service provided by those men and women who have courageously fought and died upholding our shared American values of freedom, liberty, and justice,” he said.

Mayo reflected on the Rotary Club’s century of commitment to Oxford, noting past contributions, including the Rotary Pavilion in Lamar Park, which was dedicated in 2008. 

“When I look at the Pavilion, I see a symbol of community,” he said, adding, “And there’s no mistaking the fact that you cannot spell the word community without the word unity.”

The new flag pole and monument, according to Mayo, are intended as a living symbol of unity and shared identity during a period of national division. 

“Flying the flag expresses our common beliefs that we are all created equal and endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” he said. “I trust that anyone gazing upon the flag pole and the flag that will soon fly full mast will see it as a symbol of our common unity, our freedoms, and our democracy.”

The event featured remarks from Aldermen and Mayor Pro Tem Jason Bailey, who spoke on behalf of Mayor Robyn Tannehill, who was unable to attend. 

Bailey praised the Rotary Club for its continued contributions to the community.

 “The Rotary Pavilion, the raised planter beds on the Square, the city’s pocket park, and the L.Q.C. Lamar plaque are just a few of the countless projects the Rotary Club has completed over the years,” Bailey said. “This new flag pole is yet another testament not only to the Rotary Club, but to our nation as well.”

Bailey acknowledged the collaborative efforts that made the project possible, offering special thanks to city employees Mark Levy and Greg Pinion for their help in designing and installing the pole and monument.

 “What a wonderful way to celebrate 100 years of Rotary,” Bailey said. “This will be here for a long time – longer than any of us – and that’s a great thing.”

After the dedication, two cadets with the Oxford High School Marine Corps JROTC 1st. Sgt. Brandon Flowers and 2nd Sgt. Karter Vahle raised the American flag on the newly dedicated flag pole for the first time.