'I love America': 11-year-old raises money to install American flags in Plum

By Karen Kadilak / For the Post-Gazette

Eleven-year-old Ethan Nesbit of Plum was riding on U.S. Route 22 in Murrysville when he noticed many U.S. flags along the road.

Thinking how nice they looked, he began raising money to purchase 14 American flags and install them in Plum. Thanks to his efforts, U.S. flags were hung on light poles along Mike Thomas Way in late August.

Formerly Old Mine Road, the road was renamed in honor of Thomas, Plum’s borough manager who was killed in August 2023 in the Rustic Ridge house explosion.

The borough's public works staffers put up the flags, which will be displayed through Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Borough manager David Soboslay was impressed when Ethan spoke about his idea at the end of a borough council meeting in June.

"Ethan told the council he wanted to show his support for our country and the military by raising money to purchase American-made flags,” Soboslay said. “He asked the council's permission to fly the flags on the light poles right next to existing Hometown Heroes banners,” that honor past and present members of the Armed Forces.

“You don't meet many 11-year-olds who want to volunteer time to raise funds to honor America and our Hometown Heroes.”

Soboslay said the borough intends to continue working with Ethan to keep the flags in good condition and flying for years to come.

It is the first stage of what Ethan, a sixth-grader at Holiday Park Intermediate School, hopes is a lasting project.

“I would like to have more flags, especially along major roadways, like Golden Mile Highway,” he said. “I also plan to work with the borough council to find more places” to install them.

Conversations with his grandfather, Roger Nesbit, about his time in the Navy and a visit last year to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., inspired the boy.

“I feel it is important to honor our veterans and military,” he said. “Having the flags above the Hometown Heroes banners is a special way to show that Plum cares about its veterans.

“I hope this project can also inspire other kids who want to make a difference. I love America and want to share that with others.”

The Rotary Club of Plum was among donors for the project. Members heard about Ethan’s presentation at the borough council meeting.

“Rotary members recognized this young man who embodied the vision, mission and goals of our Rotary, even at his young age,” said club representative Jess Yamnitzky.

“We were in unanimous agreement that supporting him met important goals for us.”

Jim and Anna Nesbit helped their son seek donations for the flags. 

“He is a bright kid who is comfortable carrying on a conversation with anyone, so he has had no trouble sharing his vision,” his parents said in a joint statement.

“Fortunately for us, Plum has no shortage of great people ready and willing to support a young man with an idea and offer guidance and support along the way. It has been our pleasure to watch Ethan tenaciously take his vision to action and we couldn't be prouder of our sweet boy.”

For more information, go to the Facebook page Patriotic in Plum.