We have received more phone calls and questions in the street about the newly installed flags on Lyme Street than anything else happening in town in a long, long time.
So here’s what we know … so far.
The idea of placing the flags was conceived by the Old Lyme Fire Department, who went through the appropriate town channels in order to gain approval for them. The chairmen of the Old Lyme Historic District Commission determined that the commission did not have jurisdiction over the flags since the flags were deemed ‘temporary signs’ and did not therefore require an application.
Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) granted their approval for the project.
The hardware and flags were purchased by the fire department and then installed last week by Old Lyme Public Works.
So, we have to ask … what do you, dear readers, think of the flags?
“Gaudy” they are not – gaudy is all the posters that get plastered all over the place and all the placards stuck in the ground!
I think they look great. USA! – USA! – USA! If the length of time is of concern (understandable), then at least make them available Memorial Day weekend for the parade and maybe through July 4th. But I think through Veteran’s Day is appropiate. Good for the OLFD!
I was visiting Old Lyme this past weekend, and I thought the addition of the flags to Lyme Street was stunning, very appropriate and long overdue. The word “gaudy” never entered my mind.
I grew up in Old Lyme and am saddened that this is even a topic. The flags lining Lyme Street are beautiful and they fit with the charm of Old Lyme and the word that should come to mind is pride. “Gaudy”……how is the American Flag gaudy? I agree, this display is long overdue and is a welcomed additon to Old Lyme!!
God Bless America
Kudos to the OLFD! I love it. The flags should fly through Veteran’s Day. Shame on anyone who thinks displaying the American flag this way is gaudy.
Thank you OLFD! So happy and excited to see unrestrained patriotism here in our lovely town!!
When I saw the flags last week I thought , once again, how beautiful and unique Old Lyme is. I am proud of our Fire Department and their initiative to make this display happen. Let’s not let a few spoil sports ruin it for the rest of us.
I think they look wonderful, and fill me with pride for our country.
I think the flags look great, kudos to the OLFD!
I would like to note that I hope that the OLFD or Public Works keeps an eye in them and does not let them fly in shabby conditions. I hate to see tattered flags waving in the wind.
You Rock Old Lyme Fire Department!!! Here is hoping the flags can continue to fly. God Bless America and the Fire Department. Thanks to the Old Lyme Public Works for their efforts. We just attended a luncheon at the Old Lyme Senior Center to celebrate the Vets of Old Lyme which was attended by many, ask them what they think of the Flags!!!!
The new flags set off the Historic District as a special area. They remind us of Old Lyme’s long history of patriotism. They are a cheerful, festive, positive addition. Thank you, OLFD!
Glad to find out why they are there; it has been a bit of a mystery. However, they do look lovely but, in order to show respect for our flag, they shouldn’t fly during bad weather. Perhaps take them down after Veteran’s day.??
A comment of “gaudy” seems to forget the symbolic significance of these flags. I so often feel we take both our country and those who protect us and our freedom for granted. Let these flags be a reminder of our blessings. Bring it on. God Bless America.
How sad that someone would consider our flag “gaudy”. Thank you OLFD and those who fought for our freedom.
The flags are beautiful and a great idea, very proud of OLFD !
If they think its gaudy maybe they should move
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the flags. Only 2 comments 1) According to the US Flag code a flag can fly in poor weather if it is a weatherproof flag and 2) Flags flown 24 hours a day should be illuminated at night and I believe most are on poles with streetlights. How beautiful it would have been to see those glorious banners waving after all our horrific weather last year.
They look great, need to be extended to cemetery as I understand was the original plan. Great job OLFD (conflict of interest note: I am a non-active member). Long overdue. Keep’em flying!
^10 OLFD extend them all the way to Rogers Lake, they look fantastic.
Gaudy? ………….
Thank you OLFD ! These flags are welcome for those of us who can appreciate what they stand for. ….hardly a “gaudy” imposition! My sincere gratitude for their presence.
( for those who think otherwise…. please try life in a less fortunate part of the world…. THEN come back and tell me about it ! )
It looks appropriate for 4th of July.
I think the flags are wonderful in celebration of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Veteran’s Day. Let’s keep them special and take them down in between
I wouldn’t use the word gaudy though I think I agree with the spirit of this person’s concern. Does the presentation on a utility pole distort the image and quality of the flag? In my opinion the flags displayed at town hall and other civic properties demonstrate a more honorable image of our nation’s flag.
Once a precedence is set for a group to display flags, banners etc. in the manor that our fire department has done and is supported by the towns public works department, and I assume at no cost to the fire department, than any group can/will/should be allowed the same privilege.
Was this issue reviewed by the town’s Zoning Enforcement Office?, I see no mention of an opinion from that office.
I think it ironic that our patriotic town of Old Lyme would ban political lawn signs — a suppression of participation in democracy — while allowing and funding US flags to line its street. These are both a form of political speech protected by our constitution. See the US Supreme Court case of City of Ladue, v. Gilleo, 512 U.S. 43 (1994) for the constitutional prohibition against banning political signs. If the Town is supporting political speech,, we can look forward to diverse representations of our views in the form of flags and signs. The Supreme Court said in that decision that the City of Ladue could limit residential political signs to reasonable time limits. Whatever period of time allowed for the flags should apply equally to the political signs. I personally suggest we limit the flags to a week on either side of Memorial Day, July 4th and Veteran’s Day.
You’re right: a ban on just one type of sign would be unconstitutional. There is no legal or statutory ban on political signs in Old Lyme. There is only a “gentleman’s agreement” that both parties have honored for many years. As far as I know, it does not exist in writing. This “agreement” does allow signs to be displayed outside a party’s political headquarters or outside a place where a political event is taking place. It’s just a local custom, not a law or statute.
Way to go OLFD! That there is even debate about the flags boggles the mind!
By the way Bill, the Fire Department paid for the flags. How on earth can you equate the American flag with “flags, banners, etc?”? If you can’t understand why they are up there, go to a Memorial Day Ceremony sometime.
Get real people. Any negative discussion about the display of the American flag is shameful. Congratulations to the OLFD for their tribute to the greatest country in the world. Much blood has been shed for the right to fly this symbol of our country. You people have to much idle time on your hands. Find something more important to debate than the display of pride in our country.
Gaudy? … Really?
So glad to hear about this project undertaken by the OLFD. My dad was a volunteer; I had no idea how important OLFD was in his life until I started sorting through his belongings during his declining years.
Just another incredulous small minded opinion. Wish we did this more in England!!!!!!! Love it – BRAVO OLFD!!!!!!!
Very patriotic I would like to say. My husband is a retired Veteran. Thank you Old Lyme for your display of support.
Was glad to read all the comments with really only one negative one from elendil. Obviously, elendil, you did not grow up in the small Town of Old Lyme. Many of our parents were military here and if this is the first time that Lyme Street is posting the flags they should remain until the Town decides to take them down. Thank you to the OL Fire Department for suggesting this and it was a group effort to put them up. Your words were hurtful for all of those that planned this and for those that made it happen and also to me as I grew up in Old Lyme for the most part. Graduated from OL High School and my father is buried in Old Lyme with honors from the military. The only question I can ask you is why is it such a big deal?