Braintree Toyota Re-Dedicates Flag with Local Vets

A 110-foot flag pole and accompanying giant American flag was installed at Toyota of Braintree when it opened in 2008 as a way to demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and act as a gateway to Braintree.

"We're very patriotic," owner Charles Tufankjian said.

And so when a lightning strike toppled the flag pole in September, the Tufankjians quickly put in an order for another.

A second, custom-built 110-foot pole was trucked down in three pieces from New Hampshire and installed at the dealership last month.

On Wednesday, Charles Tufankjian and his sons David and Greg, along with a number of other Toyota employees, were joined by a dozen or so veterans from American Legion Post 86 to re-dedicate the pole and American flag.

The flag was brought down, held for a moment in the wind while the veterans saluted, and then raised to half-staff for Nelson Mandela as everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance.