Topeka High School is waving the American flag proudly thanks to the generosity of a famous ship.

Crews began installing a new spar on the eastside of the school today.

The eighty-two foot flag pole comes from the famous USS Constitution.

This spar replaces the old one that was destroyed by lightning last year. It’s the third spar from the famed ship the school has had.

Joan Barker with the Topeka High Historical Society says the Constitution was happy to donate another one. Barker says, “The USS Constitution loves the connection, loves Topeka, loves Topeka High and so they said sure we could have another one and that's why we have the third one.”

The first spar came to the school in the 1930's after a former Topeka High grad asked the Navy if they could have it.

After 70 years of wear and tear it was replaced with another one in 2004 and that's the one that was hit by lightning.