Detention center staff said that the flag pole had been a dream of many officers for quite some time. When the building was built in 1999, no landscaping was done to the outside of the building other than a large security fence placed around the building. Now, inside that fence stands the large flag pole with both the American and New Mexico flag waving in the breeze.
Detention Administrator Matt Elwell said that the 8 foot by 12 foot flags are lit at night, and can be seen by motorists passing the facility on Interstate 10.
The structure was completed at minimal cost to the facility, with labor being provided by the Detention Center’s maintenance department employees and inmate work detail labor. The pole itself was found at the County road department and was not being used.
Friday morning at 10, the Deming High School JROTC under the direction of Sergeant Anthony Ramirez, held a dedication and flag raising ceremony at the detention center to honor the flags.