HARTFORD – State Representative Janice Giegler (R-138) hailed the passage by the state House of Representatives of HB- 5138, An Act Concerning the Placement of United States Flags on the Graves of Veterans. The measure would prohibit towns, cemetery associations, or ecclesiastical societies that care for cemeteries from restricting the placement of flags on veterans’ graves from the Saturday before Memorial Day until the Monday after July 4 in each year.
Rep. Giegler said, “I am pleased we were able to come to agreement with the cemetery managers on proposed language for this bill. Cemetery managers had legitimate worries about maintenance of the grave sites and this bill addresses their concerns by limiting the timeframes for flag displays.”
The proposed bill called for the ability to place the flag seven days before Memorial Day, but after consultation with various cemetery managers the compromise legislation allows for flags to be placed on the Saturday before which was agreed it would not place an additional strain on the facilities maintenance staff.
“Memorial Day commemorates our men and women who died while in military service to their country. A flag placed at the grave is a solemn way to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” added Giegler.
The bill will now heads to the State Senate and then to Governor M. Jodi Rell for her possible signature.
