In 1861, men from 18 Michigan counties formed Ionia-based 21st Infantry Regiment.
“The battle flags they carried into combat with them we're literally their proudest possessions”
According to Matthew VanAcker, Director and Curator of Save the Flag, the state sent four Civil War flags, and a fifth, gifted by the women of Ionia, never returned to state care, hanging in the county courthouse for 159 years.
Restoration work in the 1960s attempted to get the flag how it left, not how it returned.
With VanAcker’s guidance, Shane Houghton and Eric Calley raised $60,000 to restore the flag to its post–Civil War condition.
“Having it be 100% original not only preserves the legacy, but it gives an added respect ”
The public can see the unveiling Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Ionia National Guard Armory, before the flag returns to the courthouse.
