By Meghan Peterson, Ph.D.
During your daily travels about town, have you noticed the American flags lining Saybrook Road/Route 154? Ever wonder where they come from and the unique story behind their presence along a primary corridor through our community?
As is the case with many happenings in Haddam, the flags along Route 154 are a direct result of everyday people banding together to make life just a little bit extraordinary and special.
During the summer of 2018, Haddam received state, national, and international attention for an impassioned debate that occurred within the context of an elected Haddam town official’s decision to kneel during the Pledge of Allegiance. A topic whose origins stemmed from a national discourse about protesting law enforcement interactions with African-American males, the act of kneeling before the country’s flag became an expression of political opposition to a variety of perceived social injustices, to U.S. President Donald Trump and to the federal administration’s policies.
Conversation and opinions throughout the Haddam community were as fiery as the New England humidity that summer. In what they describe as an effort “to restore community calm and peace,” Larry and Lori Maggi, residents and business owners (Fireworks Hearth & Home) in Haddam decided to do something. “As a family who has raised children in this town, we’ve seen some things that have deteriorated the fabric of this community. We wanted to make a small step toward repairing the community and bringing people together,” Larry Maggi says, who also serves on the Haddam Board of Selectmen.
The Maggis explain that financial donations – from as far away as California and Oregon – came pouring in last summer from states across the country. The donations were specifically for the purpose of Haddam purchasing American flags. At first, the Maggis purchased 1,000 small American flags and placed them near people’s mailboxes. Some complaints emerged regarding the placement of the flags on private property. After removing the small American flags, the Maggis were not disheartened. In fact, they saw a new opportunity.
Donations continued to flow to Haddam. In addition, inspired by the generous donation of a long-time Fireworks Hearth & Home customer, Robert Kanakal, the Maggis were able to place an order for 150 of the large (3×5) American flags. Larry adds, “It was very important to us that the American flags be made in this country, so we found a company that produces the flags in the U.S.”
According to Larry, “Our ultimate goal is to have American flags line Route 154 from Exit 10 (off Route 9) through Exit 7, down to Tylerville, part of Route 81, and down to the Connecticut River. We secured permission from Frontier to place the flags on the utility poles. People have volunteered their time and amazing efforts to help us place the flags. In many ways, this project has become a job in itself – a rewarding job. We go out and check on the flags, ensuring that they are in good condition, unwind from the utility poles during windy days, and take overall care of the flags.”
Haddam-Killingworth Now/Haddam Killingworth News reached out to Selectman Melissa Schlag for comment on the flag project. She says, “Through coordination with the economic development commission, when I was first selectman I purchased flags for the center of town, which the public works department hung from Memorial Day through the summer. Mr. and Mrs. Maggi took this effort to a completely new level.”
What began as a small-scale response to the local, state, and national politics of summer 2018 is now a full-fledged endeavor to adorn Route 154 with Old Glory. Larry describes the project as “Flags Across Haddam.” The goal is to get this project started and keep it going.” Specifically, Larry explains that “there is a section on Saybrook Road that we want to fill in with flags. In addition, for every flag purchased, I would like a second or third flag to be purchased for replacement as original flags become weathered.”
“While people may disagree on many things, one thing that can bring people together is the beauty of our nation’s flag to be proud of and to love this country. You normally don’t see this kind of thing – perhaps on main streets, but for the flags to be on a main thoroughfare in Haddam, this is a substantial statement on how we want people to be proud of where we live. Lori, who has also worked very hard on this project, and I want to ensure that above all else. It is our hope that the people of Haddam take pride in this town and this community. It is our hope Flags Across Haddam brings people a little closer together.”
People may donate and make a deposit to Flags Across Haddam in person at any Liberty Bank branch in the area (there are two locations here in town: 116 Bridge Road & 26 Killingworth Road). Donations to the Flags Across Haddam project can also be made via check at the Haddam Town Hall, 21 Field Park Drive, Haddam.
Photos by Sally Haase and Kathy Brown.
