Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

No flags flown for 9/11 in Amherst

Hannah Cohen/Collegian
The Board of Selectmen of Amherst decided against flying special commemorative flags in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in Amherst town. The decision was made in a three to two vote Thursday September 2 to extend the previous once every three years rule, to fly the flags only once every five years.

When the flags were first introduced coincidentally on September 10 2001 they were decided to be celebratory in nature. However, some town members such as Larry Kelley have pointed out that these flags are also flown for Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day.

“They should either fly the flags on 9/11 or not fly them on Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day,” said Kelley, who writes a blog called “Only in the Republic of Amherst.”

“People feel very strongly about this issue both ways,” said Stephanie O’Keeffe chair of the select board, “I can definitely see how both sides could be angry or upset.”

Two members of the select board had people close to them present at the 9/11 attacks in New York City, Diana Stein and Aaron Hayden. Both agreed that it was inappropriate to fly the flags on 9/11.

Hayden, who lost two dear friends on 9/11, said during the meeting that the flags were meant to celebrate something that changed the world in a positive way. He went on to say that the flags should only be flown on six dates, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, September 22 the date women were allowed to vote, November 20 Gettysburg, and Human Rights Day.

Kelley argues that 9/11 should be added to the seven permanent days that the special 29 commemorative flags are flown, and has brought this issue to the select board every year since 2001. He was successful in 2002 and 2003, but the board decided not to make the decision permanent and instead vote on it every year.

Many residents and local students are upset by the board’s decision including the University of Massachusetts Republicans and Democrats. The UMass Democrats and UMass Republicans had an impromptu memorial service on the lawn in back of the Campus Center at 8:30 yesterday morning, and held a moment of silence for those lost on 9/11.

President of the UMass Republicans Justin Thompson thinks it is imperative to make sure the date is not forgotten.

“The purpose of this memorial is to remember a national tragedy,” said Thompson, “Not to make a political statement.”

UMass Democrats president Emily Jacobs was approached by Thompson and the Republicans to help with the memorial.

“It is important that we make sure this a non-partisan issue,” said Jacobs.

Brandon Tower president of the UMass Student Government Association also attended the memorial outside the campus center.

“Amherst got it wrong,” said Tower. “This memorial is the right thing to do. And I applaud the UDems and URepublicans for getting together and putting on such a significant event.”

After the ceremony was over the group walked through downtown Amherst planting American Flags in the grass along the sidewalk as they went.

Another memorial service put on by the town started at 9:45 in front of the fire station, but displayed no commemorative flags.

Kelley also applauded the efforts of the UMass political parties.

“[The flag] is a symbol of our country,” said Kelley, “Sure the United States isn’t perfect, but it is the best country in the world. And we should do anything else to remember that.”
Amherst did fly all American flags in town at half staff in remembrance of the lives lost on 9/11 and according to the once every five year rule should fly the commemorative flags next year for the 10 year anniversary of those terrorist attacks.

Bobby Hitt can be reached at [email protected].

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  • M

    MackSep 2, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    No need to fly the flags. The US military is full of cowards. They do not provide the country with freedom, they bully other countries to gain power.

    Reply
  • W

    WilliamSep 2, 2012 at 11:43 am

    As a young man who is about to embark in a military career. The town that won’t fly the flag makes me feel sick to my stomach. I remember when I was in 8th grade and I was able to see the towers burning from my classroom window it was sad and frightening it felt like one big nightmare, but the next we were united. If you don’t have respect for this nations trying times then you don’t represent this nation. But as future solider about to goto the army I know the importance of freedom and it’s sickening to know that some do not respect those who died in a tragedy that pushed many men and women to give up their freedoms to ensure that we all still have them. I am Penn State graduate and I have decided to give up my freedoms so that on certain days you will all have the freedom to speak free and fly that flag that unites us as a nation. If you don’t love this country then go live somewhere else where you don’t have the freedom to choose when to fly the flag. I will never go to your town and I will never recommend anyone to go to your town. It’s a sad statement for America.

    Reply
  • H

    HFSep 2, 2012 at 9:40 am

    I will get to the heart of it- this is the greatest country on the planet. Our forefathers and veterans fought to give us the opportunity for liberty to speak as we see fit. This professor has the right spew anti-American drivel. However if he doesn’t like this country and the opportunity (fat Umass prof job). My opinion is to leave and go to a third world country where thing aren’t so free.

    Reply
  • S

    ScottSep 2, 2012 at 7:22 am

    9/11 did not just change my life, it changed America and the world. I am a 22 year US Army disabled veteran. I simply do not know a single person that was unaffected by the ripples of this horrific day. The Flag of the United States of America deserves to be treated the respect of a living being. It is the embodyment of the sacrifice your fellow Americans have made on your behalf past and present. I understand that many of you feel differently. This difference in opinion is to be respected; as that is a part of the sacrifice given to you. However I do believe that the opinions of some within your township are unpatriotic and counter to the American dream and spirit. I would simply say to any of you who wish to disparage this American iconic symbol and what it stands for that you are only free to do so by the blood and tears, the courage and perseverance you would deny. You are free to live here and believe what you wish; however due to your contrast I would also remind you that you are free to leave if you are unhappy. I challenge you to put your beliefs to the test and attempt to live in any different country. See what you have taken for granted. Do not worry, we will take you back once you realise that the utopian statist system in other lands do not appeal to your armchair doubletalking way of life because that too is the American way.

    Reply
  • L

    LauraJan 2, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    Unbelievable! Thanks to the UMass Republicans and Democrats for holding an impromptu memorial service.

    Reply
  • H

    HeatherSep 13, 2010 at 10:17 am

    It is really getting more and more difficult to even think of responses to idiots like this.

    But I am sure if they have a flood or a hurricane, they will all sit in their own urine, waiting for the US military, with the flag on the shoulder of their uniforms, to bring them a bottle of water!

    Reply
  • L

    Larry KelleySep 13, 2010 at 9:45 am

    On the night of September 10, 2001–just 12 hours before the first plane impaled the North Tower–the Amherst Select Board voted unanimously to keep down 29 commemorative flags from the downtown and restrict them to just six annual occasions.

    A Umass professor testified before the bucolic board branding the flag “…a symbol of terrorism and death and fear and destruction and oppression. It’s not something to be proud of.”

    A brief report about the Amherst flag decision went out early the next morning on the AP national wire demonstrating show just how slow a news day 9/11 started out. But in the chaos that followed, a few legacy news organizations–CNN, Fox and the Boston Globe–got their facts slightly wrong and reported the town of Amherst was restricting the rights of private citizens to fly the American flag.

    An undeserved reputation was born: The town received hate mail, flaming emails, nasty phone calls and the trash talking Umass professor a few death threats. Almost every year since then, however, the town reinforces the original perception of being un-American by refusing the fly our symbol or freedom on such a sad historic occasion.

    http://onlyintherepublicofamherst.blogspot.com/2010/09/91110.html

    Reply