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37,000 flags on Boston Common
By adamg on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 6:41pm
37,000 flags on the Boston Common honor fallen soldiers. @BostonDotCom @universalhub pic.twitter.com/MDhe0BKiKn
— Jean Nagy (@jeannagy) May 25, 2016
Jean Nagy shows us the flags on the Common - one for each Massachusetts resident who gave his or her life in defense of the country since the Revolution.
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Comments
Hate this, but love this
Fantastic display. Then I remember the reason it's there and what each flag means.
Will flags still be up Tuesday?
Does anyone know?
This is a great tribute and a stark reminder of the cost of war.
It is a stark reminder.
Unfortunately the people in power don't get it and continue to make policies that result in many people being killed.
How these people sleep at night is beyond me.
Sorry not really a fan of
Sorry not really a fan of these types of displays. Violating flag code to honor those who have lost their lives seems a bit contradictory to me.
Violating flag code?
Can you say more? (I don't think it's going to rain today or tomorrow.)
Flags are supposed to be
Flags are supposed to be properly lit and may not strike the ground, tho not by law, just by code.
When you consider that some of the men represented by these flags may have infact carried the flag into battle with that very duty I find it in poor taste.
I recognize that the use of the flag to express speech is protected and I do not wish to change that I just think further thought about such means of honoring people should be used.
They're not on the ground.
Respectfully, the flags are not striking the ground. if you haven't seen this in person, please do- it is a striking display, and not disrespectful in any way.
They are walmart type flags
They are walmart type flags stuck in the ground how moving. The likely hood of them all remaining upright is to say the least, slim.
There are volunteers from the group there
It's a very respectful atmosphere. There are no tipped-over flags, trust me.I personally can't think of a better way to acknowledge the sacrifice of every single MA warrior who died for the flag now representing him (or her.)
It's in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and have never heard a bad word about it from anyone there nor anyone I've ever spoken with about it.
Can't speak highly enough about this tribute and have to say you're completely off base.
If you are that concerned about compliance to the
non-legally binding "flag code", perhaps you can organize an effort to purchase and install 37,000 full sized flags on 37,000 full sized flagpoles, with proper illumination for each and every one of course. Though I suspect the Beacon Hill and Boston Common folks might have a thing or two to say in the matter.
Or you can appreciate what is truly a moving tribute to those who have fallen in the service of our country.
A moving tribute that fails
A moving tribute that fails to honor the flag they fought for? Yes, how moving.
Have you been to this
Have you been to this memorial in person? I have, every year since I moved to Boston. I have seen families and veterans moved to tears.
That's your right, even though I disagree.
I believe the spirit of remembering all of those who died is more important than the letter of the flag code. The freedom to do anything with our flag--even those things not everyone agrees with--is part of what these people fought for.
My point has nothing to do
My point has nothing to do with the legality of using the flag in such a manner. It of course is and should always be legal to use the flag in whatever manner a person would wish.
My point is that some of the men represented by the flag likely carried the flag into battle with the duties of the flag code demanded of them. Honoring people by disrespecting the flag is ehhh at best.
There are better ways to honor people that have lost their lives.
DPM
the flags are not touching the ground. So your point is mute.
This is a moving memorial and I see no problem with it. (Actually, I cringe when I see folks wearing the flag as clothing in which the Code clearly states as a "no-no".) But this, this is remembrance of those who lost their lives in defense of our country.
Also, you might want to check the Code again - I could find no reference that a flag has to be properly lighted. In fact, most flags I see are not lighted.
There are 37,000 flags on the
There are 37,000 flags on the ground. It is all but guaranteed some of them will fall over.
“The flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.”[I]
They are guarded and pretty well cared for
I've helped install the flags in the past and visit them every year. There are guards 24x7. I can't say one will never touch the grass, but they're inside little rope walls and pretty well cared for.
I consider myself pretty respectful of the flag including the code, etc., and I think this display is definitely in the proper spirit, and probably even the letter of the rules.