U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, honors Adel Fatur, 73, of Zelienople, middle, with an American flag for her volunteer work with the Zelienople Historical Society on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. Juanita Eppinger, 88, holds Fatur's flag. Fatur sits on the society's board and has organized community events for the previous seven years. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle
ZELIENOPLE — When "Flag Lady“ Adel Fatur first saw a delegation of well-dressed people and cameras with long lenses, she thought they were just visitors admiring the scenery.
The gathering formed in Zelienople Historical Society’s garden Tuesday morning. Borough Council President Mary Hess, Rotary Club of Zelienople president Kathy Corcoran and other friends were there. So was U.S. House Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th.
Fatur had no idea that they were there for her, as Kelly presented Fatur with the 16th District’s 2022 Community Champion Award.
Needless to say, the award was a surprise.
Fatur is best known for her work in bringing the traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to Zelienople, where it presided throughout the borough’s Fourth of July celebrations this year.
But her accomplishments don’t end there.
in July, she sold and placed so many flags at the borough’s Four Corners Park that the effort earned an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. In July 2021, she spearheaded the Patriotic Porch Tour, a community-wide contest to determine which homes and businesses could showcase the most colorful display of patriotism.
The award came accompanied by a plaque, a certificate and a flag with a unique journey.
“Over the greatest Capitol in the world, we ran a flag in your honor, and we have that flag with us,” said Kelly, handing her the stars and stripes.
The certificate is to honor and recognize her dedication to volunteerism and service to the community, he said.
“You never stop giving,” Kelly told Fatur.
“No, I enjoy doing,” Fatur said, her voice rising as she spoke. “I enjoy seeing the people come together and honor our veterans. They did a lot for us. Well, thank you so much.”
Fatur has demonstrated a talent for rallying others around cherished symbols. A member of the Zelienople Historical Society and Red Hat Society, Fatur has described that shared belonging as a cornerstone of her passion.
“Just getting everybody involved,” Fatur said. “Like when we did the porch tour, there were so many people that just wanted to get involved, and that’s the goal.”
Her spirit persevered throughout the worst of the pandemic, when Fatur delivered food to housebound seniors and other vulnerable people through English Lutheran Church’s Meals on Wheels program.
Fatur, whose long list of accomplishments goes back further, already has new plans on the horizon.
“I thought maybe she’d take a little breather after all the July Fourth stuff,” said Corcoran. “But she shoved a flier at me. Now she’s doing a scarecrow contest.”
The months and years ahead promise many possibilities.
Adel Fatur, 73, of Zelienople, accepts the Flag of the United States from U.S. Representative Mike Kelly at a ceremony to honor her volunteer work in Zelienople on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. Adel has contributed to the community by organizing several events over the past seven years with the Zelienople Historical Society. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle
A group of Zelienople citizens gather at a ceremony to recognize Adel Fatur, 73, of Zelienople, right, for her achievements with the Zelienople Historical Society on October 4th, 2022 in Zelienople. U.S. Representative Mike Kelly, left, presented Fatur with a Flag of the United States that flew over the U.S. Capitol. Cary Shaffer/Bulter Eagle
