Amherst resident to again request Amherst fly commemorative flags on anniversary of 9/11

The Republican ^

[matt04]

Town Meeting member Larry Kelley Monday night plans to again ask the Select Board to fly the town’s 29 commemorative American flags to mark the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The Select Board amended its commemorative flag policy to allow the flags to fly on the light posts and utility poles every five years to mark the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 at the Pentagon, World Trade Center and in Pennsylvania, but Kelley believes they should be flown every year so people remember.

He said the thousands of students coming to town to school were just six years old when it happened. “I’m not worried about mature adults,” he said. But he is worried those students will forget. The flags for him serve as a reminder.

The Select Board on Sept. 10, 2001, set a policy to allow the commemorative flags to fly on six holidays – Patriots Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Kelley believes Sept. 11 should become a seventh date.

He said the commemoration at the Fire Station is not enough of a reminder. Town Meeting in an advisory vote in 2007 rejected his petition to fly the flags every year.

In a statement last year, Board chairwoman Stephanie J. O’Keeffe wrote, “Some people think this display feels somber and respectful. Others think it sets a festive tone, inappropriate for such a solemn occasion.”

[matt04]

Full title: Amherst resident Larry Kelley to again request Amherst fly commemorative flags on anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks

[tet68]

In a statement last year, Board chairwoman Stephanie J. O’Keeffe wrote, “Some people think this display feels somber and respectful. Others think it sets a festive tone, inappropriate for such a solemn occasion.”

OK Steph, how about we drape them in BLACK as a sign
of mourning? Would that be somber enough for you?
It would work for me, it’s a day of mourning we
should never FORGET!

How about that Steph? That’s not too jingoistic for you
I hope?

[matt04]

Let me guess, some UMass professors don’t approve? Well then, how about getting a bunch of pickup owners to put two American flags on pole in the bed of their pickups and drive around Amherst all day?

[taildragger]

To bad their aren't any Old Yankee Republican Farmers left in that area, they are probably bro-beaten to death to speak up.

Do it on Private Property of said farmer and tell them to Stuff it.

If my memory is correct, most of UMass and Hadley etc are uncontrolled airspace.

It is two bad Texan T6's trainers have a nasty fuel burn and to hire a team of them to smoke screen the American Flag over these Townships with their noisy propellers a screaming would cost a fortune.

Then again watching some liberal Zoo-Mass Professor pop a blood vessel because of it would be priceless....

[onedoug]

I hope he’s an Emily Dickinson fan, as otherwise seeming so alone there.