Removal of POW/MIA Flag Leads to Controversy

Danvers veterans voiced their displeasure to the Board of Selectmen this week that the town took down the POW/MIA flag from in front of Town Hall and replaced it with a rainbow flag in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Pride Month.

World War II veteran Bruce Eaton told CBS Boston, “We just feel that spot to us is a sacred spot... We think the public should be constantly reminded that these boys were the ones that preserved our right to hang banners and flags in places that we decide." 

While the flag change upset veterans in town, other residents, including Selectman David Mills, who is gay, said the rainbow flag placed prominently in front of Town Hall showed that LGBT people are accepted by the Danvers community. 

After Tuesday's meeting, in which veterans spoke out about the removal of the POW/MIA flag, Danvers Town Manager Wayne Marquis devised a solution – the rainbow flag will fly on a pole with the Massachusetts state flag for the rest of June and the POW/MIA flag will return to its place under the American flag.

Danvers will also create a group, including veterans, the Danvers Committee for Diversity and Town Hall staff to come up with a recommendation for the rainbow flag for next June.

What do you think? Do you like the solution? Let us know in the comment section. What should Danvers do during June in the future?