Newtown’s Liberty and Peace Monument, known by many as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, located on the corner of Main Street and Schoolhouse Hill Road, received its new halyard rope and American flag on the breezy morning of April 16.

The flag raising came roughly two years after Newtown resident Brian Leonardi had witnessed the previous flag laying on the wet ground during his morning commute in January 2017.

Having a father and uncle who are military veterans, Mr Leonardi understands the importance of honoring the American flag and immediately pulled over to retrieve the fallen flag.

In the 2017 article, “A Good Deed Recognized And Appreciated,” he told The Newtown Bee, “I was brought up to believe you don’t let the flag touch the ground.”

Shortly after pulling over, Sergeant Matthew Brodacki from Weston stopped, as well, and aided him in properly folding the American flag, which was then brought to the Newtown Police Department.

Since then, a flag has not flown from the pole at the monument site due to a broken halyard rope. There has also been confusion within the town over whose responsibility it is to maintain the flag.

Bill Eder, a resident of the Borough of Newtown since 2001, joined the Borough of Newtown Burgesses in April 2018. At his first Board of Burgesses meeting, he inquired why the flag has not been replaced, and it was suggested that he take up the cause.

“In doing so, I found the lights meant to illuminate the flag at night were broken,” Mr Eder said. “When Ken Burns Electrical reviewed the situation, it was determined that we would replace the old lights with more efficient LED lighting.”

In terms of restoring the flag, he explained, “Traditionally, the VFW has had a volunteer who would tend to the flag and any lowering and raising for holidays or governmental mandates. The monument and the island it sits on are cared for by the Borough.”

On April 16, Mr Eder and Mr Leonardi gathered at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument with VFW Post 308 Commander Ray Wisniewski, who brought the new five-by-eight-foot American flag and 80-foot halyard rope.

Newtown Department of Public Works employees assisted in installing a new halyard rope for the flagpole. Steven Clark worked from the bucket of the cherry-picker, while Michael Aurelia, Kevin Belden, and Jeffrey Thomas assisted from the roadway.

After a few minor bumps in the road, including an actual bump of two cars colliding while commuting in front of the monument, the flag was raised and brought back to its original splendor, to the delight of everyone involved.

“I’m very happy to see the flag back where it belongs,” Mr Leonardi said. “I pass by the Liberty and Peace Memorial and the flagpole twice a day during the work week, and while the monument itself is a really beautiful tribute to our service members, the Memorial feels more complete now that the flag has returned to its proper place atop the flagpole.”