Patriotic Displays to be Restored

Methuen, MA, December 11, 2007-Local veterans will help Andy Jimenez, father of missing soldier Specialist Alex Jimenez, restore the patriotic display on RT. 213 in Methuen which were removed last week after MassHighway ordered all signs, banners and flags removed from highway overpasses.

The RT 213 display will be restored on Wednesday December 12, which marks the 7^th month anniversary when Spec. Alex Jimenez, PFC Byron Fouty and PFC Joeseph Anzack Jr. were ambushed and captured by insurgents. PFC Anzack Jr.’s body was later found in the Euphrates River. Spec. Alex Jimenez and PFC Byron Fouty are listed as missing/captured.

Jim Wareing will attach an American flag which had been previously flown over Baghdad on the inside of the overpass. Andy Jimenez will then attach a POW/MIA flag while veterans will place smaller flags and yellow ribbons to the inside fence. Wareing was presented the American flag by returning U. S. soldiers fighting in Iraq.

Further removal of banners and flags on highway overpasses was halted by Governor Deval Patrick while he was on a trade mission to China last week. Governor Patrick also ordered a task force be formed to review the current policy to insure we honor our troops safely.

The controversy regarding overpass displays started in October of 2006 when Commissioner Paiewonsky had MassHighway workers remove all flags ands signs throughout the commonwealth and after their removal announced a ban of all overpass displays. By the end of the day, MassHighway reversed their decision after public outcry. Commissioner Paiewonsky claimed it was a ‘miscommunication’. The most recent ban is the second within a 14 month period where Governor Romney and Governor Patrick halted the removals of flags during their tenure.

Please contact Jim Wareing for more information at 978-835-7464 or vial e-mail at jim@brdiges4troops.com

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