By Lesley Tanner
Heading East on the Mass Pike just past the Palmer exit, drivers can't miss this display of patriotism.
"I like it up there, it just reminds me of the country that I'm from and I'm proud to be an American," says Cynthia Ely of Palmer.
And though no one seems to know who placed the flags on the Flynt Street Bridge.
"One day we crossed the bridge and they were all just up there," says Ely.
Many are glad they are there.
"I honor them wherever I see them," says veteran Virginia Miller.
But this scene may soon disappear from Bay State bridges. The MassHighway department wants to ban all overpass displays, a decision that doesn't sit will with veterans.
"If somebody's climbing up on that bridge to put that up there they have to have a pretty deep emotional reason," says veteran Edna Mais.
MassHighway says it's concerned about the strength of the ties, especially on windy days. But veterans say what they need to remember is the strength of the message the ties hold up.
"They haven't blown away yet, they're all still up there," says Ely.
"The chances of it falling off and falling on your car is slim to none," says Mais.
MassHighway officials say there has never been a serious incident involving an overpass sign, and they want to keep it that way. They say the ban is about prevention, and applies to all signs, no matter the message. But residents say the message is the part that matters most.
"The very least we can do is honor our dead, and our missing and our boys right now giving their lives," says Miller.
Governor Patrick has put a hold on actually removing the signs until MassHighway and the Veteran's Affairs can come up with a safe and permanent way to honor our servicemen on state roads. Those recommendations are expected by the end of the month.
