H.O. Electric replaced the Belmont High School flagpole lighting in time for the home football game last Friday.

Howard Oven, owner of H.O. Electric, discovered the flagpole lighting installed previously by his son Ben Oven for his Eagle Scout project had been vandalized. Ben had a limited budget, so an inexpensive surface-mounted fixture was installed. This method proved worthy for a couple of years.

Howard Oven came up with a better design to improve the lighting, eliminate potential vandalism caused by youths, and gain years of service for sports fans. H.O. Electric trenched the area near the flagpole and installed well lighting.

"The lights are now buried into the earth. This should avoid someone from kicking and potentially vandalizing the flagpole lighting," he said. "The community will now be able to see the flag they salute at the games. Hopefully, Ben's Eagle Scout legacy will also carry on. I'm happy to contribute!"

According to Howard Oven, the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Paragraph 174 states: "It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness."

Located in Belmont, H.O. Electric has served the Belmont area for many years. They solely funded the project from labor and material, start to finish. For more information visit www.hoelectric.com.