The firestorm caused by the raising of the Syrian flag at a recent ceremony held at the Whitehall Township Municipal Building has now turned into a positive venture to pay tribute to all veterans.

Plans have unfolded to create a monument on the front lawn of the municipal building grounds. Hokendauqua American Legion Post 739, Fullerton American Legion Post 367 and Egypt Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7293 may spearhead the project. The Whitehall Area Community Foundation has also shown interest.

Two informal meetings have already been held.

While no plans have been formalized, the talks centered on installing three flagpoles: one with the American and POW/MIA flags, one with the state flag and one with the township flag.

An individual has pledged to donate a flagpole, and the Egypt VFW has offered to donate $1,000 for additional flagpoles.

"This is something I wanted accomplished many years ago," Whitehall Township Commissioners President Linda Snyder said. "This project I'm sure would unite the community. The men and women deserve this memorial."

Snyder said the site lends itself to having "many appropriate functions to honor our veterans."

A gazebo with lights may also be donated for the site.

Commissioner Philip Ginder set the first meeting in motion after the controversy over the Syrian flag-raising event. Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr., Snyder and Ginder all agree politics should not be part of the project.

Present at the second meeting were John Treiber, Fullerton Legion; Dennis Makovsky, Egypt VFW; Joe Ebner, Whitehall Area Community Foundation; David Link, Egypt VFW; Commissioner Gerard Palagonia; Linda and Nelson Snyder; and Hozza.