By Staff
Kim West, Franklin County Times
The Franklin County Archives sponsored a Flag Day ceremony yesterday to honor two longtime supporters who passed away in April.
Over 30 family members, co-workers and friends gathered at the downtown archives building to watch the unveiling of plaques dedicated to archives volunteer Frances Nichols and former Probate Judge Mike Green.
The ceremony began with a prayer from Franklin County Commissioner Gene Graham. Renee Baker, a representative from Woodmen of the World's Lodge 1870, presented the archives with a brand-new flagpole and flag, which was raised to half-mast by Nichols' son, Skip Nichols.
"In addition to the armed forces, we dedicate this day to firefighters, police officers, teachers, doctors, nurses and volunteers that make a community a better place to live," Baker said. "These are all American heroes, and it's in that spirit that we gather today to dedicate this flagpole to them."
The ceremony also included testimonials from Graham and Archives Director Chris Ozbirn about Nichols and Green as their plaques were unveiled.
Ozbirn called Nichols a "dedicated volunteer," and said she was a good source of information about the county.
"Frances knew everybody and everything about Franklin County," Ozbirn said. "If I wanted to know something, I would call her. I miss her, and I know I won't have another Frances."
Graham talked about Nichols' optimism and said she always encouraged people.
"I'd rather have Frances for me than have money," Graham said. "It was a great honor knowing her."
Graham worked alongside Green for several years and recalled that Green said he was honest when he was running for probate judge for the first time.
"Mike would always tell you the truth, and every time I saw him vote, it was never for himself-it was always for the betterment of Franklin County."