NATCHEZ – Natchez resident Pam Frank cannot help it. She’s a proud American.

That’s why she spearheaded an effort to raise money to hang a new 20 feet by 30 feet American flag at the Mississippi River Bridge.

Now after much work, local residents placed the flag in its appropriate spot at the base of the bridge Friday morning.

Frank even helped to hang the flag.

&uot;My heart’s racing,&uot; she said about the experience.

She compared her feeling of accomplishment and excitement as similar to the way she felt about getting married or having a child. She attributed this to her instrumental part in acquiring the flag for the community.

&uot;I started the project from the beginning and saw it through,&uot; she said.

Frank received assistance in her efforts from the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce.

Together they raised about $1,700 for the project. This was enough to cover the approximate $700 cost of the flag and to buy other smaller flags for the community.

They also bought another large flag to donate to the Vidalia Women’s Club for display on the Vidalia side of the bridge Frank said.

To honor the new flag, the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce is holding a Bridge Flag Dedication Ceremony at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 18, which is open to the public.

The ceremony will take place at the field at the foot of the Ramada Inn Hilltop on John R. Junkin Drive.

Sim Mosby, chairman of the chamber, is the master of ceremony. Other guests will include Natchez Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith, Rev. Pete Herndon of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church and Fred Middleton, chamber chairman elect.

&uot;I think its something that’s important and I think it’s something that we need to do to show our community support and our concern for what’s going on in our nation,&uot; said Aissa Wiggins, of the chamber.

The chamber has been promoting the ceremony by mailing cards to local business leaders.

&uot;We need to try to get as many people there as we can,&uot; Wiggins said.

In a written statement, chamber president Laura Godfrey said the American flag represents national heritage and unity.

&uot;The approach of the year 2002 provides an occasion for our City of Natchez to reflect upon the freedom and opportunities we all enjoy,&uot; Godfrey said.