Thursday March 28th, 2024 6:17PM
5:31PM ( 46 minutes ago ) News Alert

Demorest resident asks city leaders to help stop American flag vandalism at cemetery

DEMOREST — The Demorest City Council heard an impassioned plea this week from resident Mike Duncan regarding desecration of American flags placed by families at the city cemetery.

Speaking at Tuesday night's city council meeting, Duncan said he has several war veteran relatives buried in Demorest City Cemetery on Central Avenue, and that he's tired of having to replace stolen and damaged American flags on their gravesites.

Duncan said when he left town the morning of July 4 all his family flags were in place. When he returned July 5, all the flags were gone. Since that time, flags in the cemetery have been damaged on several occasions.

"A citizen of Demorest addressed the council during public comments and presented an idea for council to consider adopting a flag ordinance and in that process discussed some vandalism to some flags that have occurred inside the city-owned cemetery," Mayor Rick Austin said after the meeting. "We acknowledge that there are some things that have happened, but they have been few and far between. We're going to check on those."

Duncan asked the city council to consider erecting a flagpole at city hall, rather than just the one on the grounds of the post office next door. Additionally, he asked the council to consider erecting a flagpole at Demorest City Cemetery to take the place of smaller flags that can be stolen or damaged.

"He had a very interesting, a very passionate discussion about his love for the flag and the people that have served our country," Austin said. "None of us in the council were in disagreement with his sentiments, and it's something that the council will take a look at."

  • Associated Categories: Homepage, Local/State News, Politics
  • Associated Tags: Demorest City Council, Mayor Rick Austin, Demorest , Demorest City Cemetery, American flag
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