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Posted by: kwflatbed

Banners, Flags To Be Taken Down

WOBURN, Mass. -- Some highway overpass banners and flags that honor U.S. soldiers must be removed.

NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported Wednesday that the Mass Highway Department wants to take some of them down, sighting safety concerns for drivers below. Many veterans said that's it's a disservice to those fighting for our country.

"When you go through these bridges, especially when they are bright and fresh, your pride in your country is unbelievable. People tell me this all the time,"

Wareing has decorated a number of overpasses, but he was told to undo some of his work.

"It sort of hurt. I am disappointed. I actually drove through one of the bridges I took down yesterday, and it was emotional going through it with nothing on it. Seeing it for five years, it was put up after Sept.11, and knowing the meaning of the whole thing and why it started and what this country faces today, it really is disappointing to see them come down,"

"I think it's unfair for the sacrifices that the American people have paid -- the ultimate price. This just lets the community know how much the veterans are loved," veteran Sandy Hodge said.

Wareing said that he's put the signs and flags up as a display of patriotism.

"Certainly, if people go about this and secure their banners appropriately, do it on the inside of the fence rather than the outside where it could become detached and fall down to the roadway, those are applications that we are certainly willing to permit," Mass Highway Department spokesman John Carlisle said.

"It's not like I want recognition. I just want people to know that we have people over there who are giving their lives," Wareing said.

Joe Pouech said that he doesn't understand why his flags were removed.

"Maybe it's the flavor of the month. Hey, it's politics. I beats me," he said.


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Posted by: Mikey682

That is bullshit, MassHighway better have a good explanation for each item they want removed.

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Posted by: CJIS

I think that they are great and I would like to see more. The only problems I have seen with them is if they are not kept up by the person that put them there. For an example going up route 3 I have seen some older dedications that have been sitting on the overpass for sometime and the flag/banner is ripped and blowing in the far lane of traffic on the bridge.

Short of the example I gave above I can't see why Mass.Highway should have any problems with these dedications if they look good and are not messing up traffic flow or anything.

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Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

....bet they wouldnt "have a problem" with em if they were for gay rights, 'peace', guncontrol,abortion or supporting 'undocumented workers'

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Posted by: CJIS

UPDATE: I just saw it on the news tonight. Only things hung on the outside side of the overpass fence will be taken down. I guess they are worried about stuff falling onto the highway. This makes sense

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Posted by: Mongo

I always render a salute whan passing such beautiful sights as the colors from every branch of service as well as our national colors displayed in numerous locations.

The dedication of individuals to perform such patriotic acts in displaying them is unmeasurable by words.

The maintenance of these sacred displays should be performed by all of us in a caring fashion.

If a flag is frayed or torn let us replace it.

Welcome home signs should not be left out if they are in poor condition it only takes away from the sincerity of it to leave it that way.

I would like to think the family or freinds would stay vigilant of it's condition.

I really would like to think that is the reason why mass highway would remove them due to the fact that alot of there employees are vetrans.

Always remember that it is every americans duty to care for our colors regardless of where they are flown.

If you have flag etiquette and something is incorrect in flying it,you should try to correct it.

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Posted by: SOT

WHat the issue is is that if you let one person do it, you have to let everybody do it...so you would see the gay banner, the NAMBLA banner, the Radical islam banner etc. As a side not e my flucking neighbor has a flag upside down on his tree because the US is in "trouble". I hate that moron.

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Posted by: Mongo

That's a sign of distress. You should go in there with all the boys at 0200 and ask him if he aighhht.

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Posted by: co2

Well its pretty sad when someone says take down the memorials for the men and women who are fighting for are freedom. I like to see those banners. It reminds me that there are still some people who support the troops. I also would like to see the people who said to take them down to take a tour of the sand box and personally tell the troops why they want them down. And then go down to walter reed hospital and tell those troops the same.Whats next. Semper Fi

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