People Want Better Care for American Flags in Plymouth

A patriotic Main Street staple in Plymouth is picking up controversy after some said the city isn't helping keep up the display.

"Things like this go left undone," Janet Sweeney said.

Bent, battered, worn and torn is not how Janet Sweeney pictures Old Glory.

"What's more patriotic than your flag?" Sweeney said.

But that's how many of the American flags along Main Street in downtown Plymouth are flying or in her eyes failing.

"When you put the flags up and you don't take care of them it's disrespectful, it contradicts what you're trying to do," Sweeney said.

The American Legion said it along with the Chamber of Commerce and Parks and Recreation put up hundreds of the flags every year after Memorial Day. The flags stay up through Flag Day but some don't always weather the storms.

"They get tethered very fast," John Sutula said

Sutula, a Legion member, said he and others take pride in the flags but keeping them in shape is a battle against Mother Nature.

"I think the weather is a big challenge the wind just wrapping them up you know," Sutula said.

The Legion said the biggest challenge in keeping up the flags is finding volunteers and the equipment to repair and replace them.

"We just go on this side of the street so I didn't notice the wear and tear," Monica Ficher said.

Ficher said she's only noticed the newly replaced flags on part of Main Street and understands upkeep is a major undertaking.

"They don't have to do it they are volunteering so it's really nice when we're walking, she likes to look at them my daughter," Ficher said.

Still some like Sweeney said they'd like to see the sad flags get the TLC they said the Red White and Blue deserves.

"It's wonderful in town but you have to be consistent and they're not. This side of town isn't any less important than that side of town," Sweeney said.

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