This morning, the city replaced a tattered and torn American
flag and a ripped California state flag at Las Animas Veterans Park
that irked residents and a councilman.
This morning, the city replaced a tattered and torn American flag and a ripped California state flag at Las Animas Veterans Park that irked residents and a councilman.
“I just drove by and I think it looks like hell and should be replaced at once,” said Councilman Bob Dillon, a Vietnam veteran, Thursday afternoon. “Within 24 hours, those flags will be replaced even if I have to do it myself.”
As promised, fresh flags flew over Gilroy’s Las Animas Veterans Park Friday morning.
Though the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6309 maintains the flags at Las Animas Veterans and Christmas Hill parks, the city is supposed to notify the post – which gives the flags to the city for free – when it needs replacements, said Bob Diaz, a member of the post and a United States Marine Corps sergeant who served in Korea.
According to Joe Kline, public information officer for the City of Gilroy, the flags were damaged by the recent wind storms and were scheduled to be removed Monday afternoon. New flags should have been hoisted in their place this morning.
Until Friday morning, the California flag flapped in the wind sporting a long, horizontal tear along the bottom and ragged edges. The American flag also had several holes and tears.
“It is not very fitting, or appropriate, to have these flags in such poor condition be a salute to our Veterans,” a resident wrote in an e-mail to the Dispatch’s Red Phone column.
In the future, Councilman and Vietnam War veteran Bob Dillon said he would personally keep an eye on the flags’ condition and notify the city should they become worn or torn.
Residents may dispose of old, faded or torn flags at the VFW hall near Eigleberry and Sixth streets. After accumulating enough flags, the veterans burn them during a ceremony in their barbecue pit, Diaz said.
Citizens are not supposed to throw flags in the garbage, but rather destroy them “in a dignified way, preferably by burning,” according to the United States Flag Code. The VFW also provides citizens with new flags for a small fee. Call 842-4913 or visit the veterans hall at 74 W. Sixth St. for new flags.
Support your veterans
The Gilroy Veterans Flagpole Fund needs your help paying tribute to those who have served. Residents can purchase memorial bricks for $100 to go in front of the flags on the ranch side of Christmas Hill Park. Proceeds go to the nonprofit Paver Committee, which is running the project and is a joint venture of the three VFW posts in Gilroy. The VFW is also looking for new members. Membership is $25. Details: Bob Diaz, 842-4404.
