After the initial order was given to remove the flags,
one was allowed back on days later
ARLINGTON – The controversial issue of Arlington fire trucks displaying
American flags has been resolved.
Earlier this month, the board of commissioners of the Arlington Fire District
told the Professional Fire Fighters Association that it could not display
the flags, which they ordered removed. That resulted in a national uproar
where the commissioners were criticized for being unpatriotic.
Within days, they acquiesced and agreed to allow one flag to fly on the
rear of a truck.
Now, on Thursday, a joint statement from the Commissioners Chairman James
Beretta, Chief Tory Gallante and Joseph Tarquinio, president of the Arlington
Professional Fire Fighters Association, announced the district will display
a two-foot, by three-foot American flag on each front line engine at all
district stations.
“Safety concerns and compliance with the United States Flag Code,
as well as both parties’ unwavering allegiance to and respect for
the nation’s flag, were the guiding principles to this resolution.
The flags will be positioned in a way as to not interfere with the access
and functions of the fire equipment,” the three men said in a joint
statement.
